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

Mary Lu; Amy Wagner; Lynn Van Male; Ashlee Whitehead; James Boehnlein

doi:10.1002/jts.20407

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

Mary Lu, Amy Wagner, Lynn Van Male, Ashlee Whitehead, James Boehnlein

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

55 Scopus citations

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.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	236-239
Number of pages	4
Journal	Journal of Traumatic Stress
Volume	22
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20407
State	Published - 2009
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Clinical Psychology
Psychiatry and Mental health

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10.1002/jts.20407

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title = "Imagery rehearsal therapy for posttraumatic nightmares in U.S. Veterans",

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.",

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AU - Van Male, Lynn

AU - Whitehead, Ashlee

AU - Boehnlein, James

PY - 2009

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AB - 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.

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

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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