B-154: Feasibility of a Randomized Control Trial of a Dream Yoga Intervention
A. Purcell, Daniel L. Morris, Jahred Rosa-Sullivan, James Glazer, Alysiana M. Martinez, Eloise Ericson, Emily Rosman, Charlie Morley, Mia Lux, Andrew Holecek, Justin Wall, A. Chaoul, David Germano, David R. Glowacki, S. Rej, Adam Liddle, Michael R. Sheehy, Ken A Paller, Susana G. Torres‐platas
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology October 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acag065.375 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Feasibility study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | General population |
| Interventions | Dream Yoga–inspired intervention Virtual reality (VR) component Wireless electroencephalography headbands Targeted Lucidity Reactivation Sleep Health Enhancement Program (SHEP) |
| Duration | 7-week intervention |
| Key points | The authors report that a 7-week Dream Yoga–inspired intervention delivered online with virtual reality and overnight EEG headbands is feasible: retention was 93.3% for Dream Yoga and 83.3% for the sleep-hygiene control, completion of VR sessions and online courses exceeded 80% in both groups, and only 7% reported simulator sickness. They propose future randomized controlled trials to evaluate cognitive and clinical effects in people with high anxiety. |
Abstract
Objective: Over the past 60 years, contemplative practices have been shown to alleviate certain mental health symptoms. Humans spend approximately one third of their lives asleep, yet there is limited scientific investigation of the benefit of performing contemplative exercises during sleep. Tibetan Buddhist Dream Yoga (TBDY) is a contemplative practice where dreamers perform mental exercises after recognizing they’re dreaming while remaining asleep (lucid dreaming). These exercises are proposed to enhance cognitive flexibility, perceptual plasticity, and reduce self-referential processing. Recent studies suggest increased alpha and theta activity in frontal midline regions of the brain of DY experts. Our objective was to test the feasibility of delivering an intervention inspired by TBDY in a modern, accessible way to the general population. We developed a 7-week Dream Yoga–inspired intervention delivered through weekly specialized online training, combined with a virtual reality (VR) component, and overnight use of wireless electroencephalography headbands to monitor brain activity alongside Targeted Lucidity Reactivation. The control group received training focused on sleep hygiene called Sleep Health Enhancement Program (SHEP). Results indicated high retention rates where 93.3% of DY and 83.3% of SHEP completed the data collection requirements. For VR sessions and online courses, both groups exceeded 80% completion. Tolerability of the VR-related adverse effects was positive where only 7% reported simulator sickness where higher than 20% was considered intolerable. These findings suggest a modern delivery of DY is feasible. Future randomized controlled trials will evaluate the cognitive and clinical effects of these practices in a larger sample who are diagnosed with high anxiety.