Imagery rehearsal therapy for posttraumatic nightmares in U.S. veterans.

Full Abstract

Imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) may help reduce residual nightmares and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in veterans after trauma-focused PTSD treatment. Fifteen male U.S. veterans with PTSD and trauma-related nightmares, who had not previously completed trauma-focused PTSD treatment, attended 6 IRT group sessions. No benefits were observed immediately posttreatment. At 3- and 6-month follow-up, however, trauma-related nightmare frequency (nights/week) decreased (p < .01). The number of trauma-related nightmares/week (p < .01), number of total nightmares/week (p < .05), and PTSD symptoms (p < .05) also decreased at 3 months. The overall F test for time was significant (p < .05) for nightmare severity and fear of sleep. No effects were found on measures of the impact of nightmares, sleep quality, or depression. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Lu, Mary (M); Wagner, Amy (A); Van Male, Lynn (L); Whitehead, Ashlee (A); Boehnlein, James (J);

Affiliation: Mental Health Division, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA. Mary.Lu(-atsign-)va.gov

Grants: UL1 RR024140 (Agency:NCRR NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Journal of traumatic stress (J Trauma Stress), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jun; vol 22 (issue 3) : pp 236-9

Dates: Created 2009/06/22; Completed 2009/10/23;

PMID: 19444882, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/23/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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