Clinical trial NCT01220401: Efficacy of a Brief Nightmare Treatment for Veterans
Official title: Efficacy of a Brief Nightmare Treatment for Veterans
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Sleep Disorders
PTSD
Suicide
Keywords: Nightmare
PTSD
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Suicide
Exposure Relaxation Rescription Therapy
Sleep
Lead sponsor: University of Tulsa
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2010-10-13
Enrollment: 21
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 99
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: NA
Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The purpose of this study is to find out what effects Exposure, Rescripting, and Relaxation Therapy (ERRT) has on nightmares and associated problems in veterans.

Detailed description: The purpose of the proposed pilot study is to extend previous findings regarding the impact of a brief cognitive behavioral treatment for chronic nightmares by examining the emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and health-related changes following treatment. Experiencing a traumatic event may initiate or exacerbate the occurrence of nightmares. Indeed, sleep disturbance, including nightmares, is considered a hallmark of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Nightmares have been related to a variety of factors including stress, medications, trauma, and substance use. Among veterans, especially combat veterans or those reporting sexual assaults, symptoms of traumatic stress and nightmares are extremely common. Few studies have investigated the efficacy of nightmare treatment in a veteran population, and the impact of nightmare treatment on suicidal ideation has never been assessed.

Imagery Rehearsal Treatment (IRT) has received increased attention in the past decade for use with chronic nightmares. Studies suggest that the treatment is promising for the reduction of frequency and intensity of chronic nightmares in trauma exposed persons and may have a generalized impact on symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression and quality/quantity of sleep, although there is mixed evidence for sleep improvement among veterans. The principal investigator has completed two randomized controlled trials of a modified version of IRT, Exposure, Rescripting, and Relaxation Treatment (ERRT) and is currently conducting a third randomized controlled trial (Davis, 2008; Davis \& Wright, 2007). The current randomized controlled trial is comparing ERRT to an active treatment (relaxation). Results demonstrated positive treatment response. Although these trials have included some veteran participants, veterans have not been studied as a group using this protocol. The purpose of this prospective study is to conduct a pre- and post-treatment comparison of suicidal ideation and posttraumatic, depressive, and health symptoms in a single group of veterans.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria: veteran/military, 18+ years old, english proficiency, nightmares once per week, exposure to a criterion A traumatic event -

Exclusion Criteria: under 18, psychotic illness, mental retardation, imminent suicidal intent

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Primary outcomes:
measure: Number of Nights With Nightmares
timeFrame: pre, one week, two months
measure: Clinician Administered PTSD Scale
timeFrame: pre, one week, two months
measure: Past Week Nightmare Frequency
timeFrame: pre, one week, two months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Beck Depression Inventory
timeFrame: Baseline, 1 week, 2 months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Tulsa
country: United States
facility: The University of Tulsa
state: Oklahoma
Study officials:
affiliation: The University of Tulsa
name: Noelle Balliett, MA
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: