title: Nightmare Frequency, Nightmare Distress and the Efficiency of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Up to 71% of trauma victims diagnosed with PTSD have frequent nightmares (NM), compared to only 2% to 5% of the general population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study examined whether nightmares before the beginning of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could influence overall PTSD symptom reduction for 71 individuals with PTSD and different types of traumatic events.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants received a validated CBT of 20 weekly individual sessions. They were evaluated at five measurement times: at pre-treatment, after the third and ninth session, at post-treatment, and at 6 months follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of nightmares did not impact overall CBT efficiency. Specific CBT components were efficient in reducing the frequency and distress of nightmares.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most participants no longer had PTSD but some still had nightmares.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Quebec a Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Katia
authors: K
authors: Levrier
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Quebec a Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Andre
authors: A
authors: Marchand
authors: Department of Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Genevieve
authors: G
authors: Belleville
authors: Department of Sexology, University of Quebec a Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Beaulieu-Prevost
authors: BP
authors: Dominic
authors: School of Criminology, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Stephane
authors: S
authors: Guay
keywords: Cognitive-Behavior Therapy; Dream; Nightmare; PTSD; Sleep; Trauma