Decreasing Nightmares in Adults With Narcolepsy (DAWN)

Utah System of Higher Education (USHE)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Nightmare Disorder With Associated Other Sleep Disorder; Nightmare; Narcolepsy Without Cataplexy; Narcolepsy With Cataplexy; Narcolepsy Type 1; Narcolepsy

Treatments: Behavioral: Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06383806

372-SR-25 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

IRB_00188162

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this clinical trial is learn whether a behavioral (non-medication) treatment can reduce nightmares in adults with narcolepsy. All participants will receive the treatment and will complete three assessments. Half of the participants will receive the treatment after the first assessment, and half will receive it after the second assessment. Romantic partners of participants with narcolepsy will also be eligible to enroll in the study. Partners will complete three assessments but will not participate in the treatment.

Enrollment: 80 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

PARTICIPANTS WITH NARCOLEPSY/NIGHTMARES

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1 or narcolepsy type 2
• Nightmare frequency of ≥1 times per week
• Age 18 or older
• Able to speak, read, and write in English
• Live in the United States
• Sleep and psychiatric medications stable for ≥ 1 month and willing to keep medications stable for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently engaged in trauma- or sleep-related psychotherapy
• Previous behavioral treatment for nightmares
• Medical, psychiatric, or cognitive condition which would interfere with ability to engage in the treatment
• Untreated moderate-severe sleep apnea

PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE PARTNERS OF SOMEONE WITH NARCOLEPSY

Inclusion Criteria:

• Live with a romantic partner who meets the above criteria and has agreed to participate in the study
• Age 18 or older
• Able to speak, read, and write in English
• Live in the United States

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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80 participants in 2 patient groups

Treatment

Experimental group

Description:

The Treatment arm will receive the intervention immediately following the first assessment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT)

Waitlist

Other group

Description:

The Waitlist arm will undergo a waiting period following the first assessment and then will receive the treatment after the second assessment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT)