A Trial of Treatment for Trauma-Related Nightmares in Active Duty Military Personnel

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Treatment for Trauma-Related Nightmares Compared to Waitlist Control in Active Duty Military Personnel

The purpose of this study is to obtain preliminary data of the efficacy of Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy for nightmares among active duty military personnel.

This will be a pilot randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy for military populations (ERRT-M) among active duty service members. Participants will be randomized to 5 sessions of ERRT-M (n = 20 ) or to a 5-week waitlist control group (WL; n = 20).

Participants will complete all interviews and self-report measures 1 weeks following treatment or the WL condition and 1 month after completing treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Active duty military stationed at Fort Hood as assessed by self-report.
• Able to speak and read English.
• History of a traumatic event.
• Nightmare Disorder
• Stable on psychotropic and/or hypnotic medications and/or interventions for sleep (e.g., Continuous Positive Air Pressure for sleep apnea) administered by other providers for at least one month assessed by self-report and review of medical record.
• Willingness to refrain from beginning new behavioral health or medication treatment for issues pertaining to sleep, PTSD, or nightmares during participation in the study.
• Indication that the SM plans to be in the area for the 5 months following the first assessment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current suicide or homicide risk meriting crisis intervention.
• Severe brain damage, assessed by the inability to comprehend baseline questionnaires.
• Pregnancy at baseline.
• Serious mental health diagnosis such as bipolar disorder or psychosis, assessed with the pre-treatment health interview and review of medical record.
• Currently taking propranolol.
• Currently engaged in evidence-based treatment for PTSD (i.e., Prolonged Exposure Therapy or Cognitive Processing Therapy) or Insomnia (i.e., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia).