NCT06904950

Nightmare Deconstruction and Reprocessing Pilot

Pilot Trial of Nightmare Deconstruction and Reprocessing, a Novel Treatment for PTSD-Related Nightmares and Insomnia

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 11 (actual)
• Sponsor: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences · Federal
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 64 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This is a single-arm, multisite (2 sites) pilot trial that is evaluating Nightmare Deconstruction and Reprocessing (NDR) for treating posttraumatic nightmares and insomnia in up to 30 military service members and veterans. Study aims are to test NDR's plausibility and tolerability and to test methodologic feasibility of collecting heart rate variability (HRV), electrodermal activity (EDA), and actigraphy data via a wristband device and peripheral blood samples within a pre-specified circadian window. Treatment consists of 8 sessions over 8 weeks. Participants are assessed at study visits 0, 1, and 7 and 1-month follow-up. Psychometric assessments include the Disturbing Dreams and Nightmare Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5.

Detailed description

The current study is testing NDR, a three-stage treatment that integrates exposure, reprocessing, and rescripting of nightmare images to alleviate nightmare and insomnia severity. Study aims are to test NDR's plausibility and tolerability and to test the methodologic feasibility of collecting daily HRV, EDA, and actigraphy data via the E4 wristband as well as peripheral blood samples for assay at three time points. Participants are active duty military or veterans (N = 30) ages 18 to 64 with posttraumatic nightmares and insomnia. Participants undergo 8 NDR treatment visits over 8 weeks and complete a 1-month follow-up. Psychometric measures of nightmare (Disturbing Dreams and Nightmare Severity Index) and insomnia (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) are administered at each visit. Objective measurement of sleep disturbance is done via the Empatica E4 wristband. In-session distress is measured using the 1-item Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS), and E4 HRV and EDA data during exposure to nightmare images. BDNF, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF alpha are being assayed from blood samples taken immediately after Visit 0 (baseline), Visit 1 (first in-session exposure to nightmare images), and Visit 7 (final in-session exposure to nightmares). To control for circadian factors regulating the expression of BDNF and inflammatory cytokines, all blood samples are collected between 0900 and 1200.

Conditions

• Nightmare

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Nightmare Deconstruction and Reprocessing	Eight-sessions that include 1 session of psychoeducation and treatment orientation and 7 sessions of NDR. NDR consists of three stages: (1) nightmare image deconstruction, (2) meaning making and reprocessing of cognition and emotions related to images, (3) rescripting new dream images and rehearsal of new images.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-11-27
• Primary completion: 2022-07-31
• Completion: 2022-11-30
• First posted: 2025-04-01
• Last updated: 2025-04-01

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States