Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Nightmares in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans

VA Office of Research and Development

Status

Completed

Conditions

Sleep Disorders

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Nightmares

Treatments

Behavioral: CBT for Insomnia plus Imagery Rehearsal

Behavioral: CBT for Insomnia plus psychoeducation

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT00691626

PT074364

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two talk therapies for OEF/OIF Veterans at the Michael J. Crescenz and the West Haven VA Medical Centers. Participants will randomly receive one of two individual treatments intended to improve the sleep disturbance and nightmares of returning Veterans.

Full description

This is a dismantling study with the objective of determining whether imagery rehearsal is essential to the efficacy of imagery rehearsal + CBT-I for improving the sleep and nightmare disturbance in Veterans with PTSD and recurrent nightmares.

Enrollment

108 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 60 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Currently enrolled in treatment in the Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center or VA Connecticut Healthcare System Mental Health Clinic
Meets DSM-IV-R criteria for current PTSD (within the past month)
Repetitive, military-related nightmares (at least 1 every 2 weeks, for at least 6 months)
A global sleep disturbance, as indicated by a score of five or greater on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Ability to read and speak English
A concurrent anxiety disorder or depressive disorder diagnosis will be allowed
Dementia related to head injury and amnestic disorder related to head injury will be allowed

Exclusion criteria

Current substance dependence
Bipolar disorder
Delirium
Dementia that is not related to head injury
Amnestic disorder that is not related to head injury
Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
Severe traumatic brain injury, as indicated by self-report (loss of consciousness or alteration of mental status greater than 24 hours, or peri-traumatic memory loss, or any posttraumatic amnesia greater than 7 days)
The presence of diagnosed sleep disorders other than insomnia: narcolepsy, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, and periodic limb movement disorder. Participants in treatment for sleep apnea, or who have not benefited from or declined available treatment may be included.