title: Efficacy of a brief treatment for nightmares and sleep disturbances for veterans.
abstract: Nightmares and sleep disturbances are common complaints among military Veterans (Plumb & Zelman, 2009) and may be difficult to eradicate (Forbes, Phelps, & McHugh, 2001). A treatment protocol (Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescription Therapy [ERRT]) targeting nightmares and sleep disturbances, which has been used effectively in civilian populations, was adapted for the military (ERRT-M). A pilot study evaluated the efficacy of ERRT-M in improving sleep quality and quantity and reducing nightmares, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression in a trauma-exposed, Veteran sample (N = 19). At 1 week after treatment, analyses revealed improvements in nightmare frequency and severity, depression, sleep quality, and insomnia severity. Treatment gains were maintained at a 2-month follow-up. Fifty percent of the sample was considered treatment responders (i.e., no nightmares in the previous week). Results of this pilot study suggest that directly targeting sleep and nightmares is successful in alleviating sleep disturbances and related psychopathology in some Veterans.
authors.affiliation: VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division.
authors.forename: Noelle E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Balliett
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Tulsa.
authors.forename: Joanne L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Tulsa.
authors.forename: Katherine E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D004325:Dreams; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans; D000067453:War Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects