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Delage JP, Côté J, Journault WG, Lemyre A, Bastien CH. The relationships between insomnia, nightmares, and dreams: A systematic review. Sleep Med Rev 2024; 75:101931. [PMID: 38733767 DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2024.101931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Insomnia and nightmares are both prevalent and debilitating sleep difficulties. The present systematic review aims to document the relationships between insomnia and nightmares in individuals without a concomitant psychopathology. The relationships between insomnia and dreams are also addressed. PsycINFO and Medline were searched for papers published in English or French from 1970 to March 2023. Sixty-seven articles were included for review. Most results support positive relationships between insomnia variables and nightmare variables in individuals with insomnia, individuals with nightmares, the general population, students, children and older adults, and military personnel and veterans. These positive relationships were also apparent in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some psychological interventions, such as Imagery Rehearsal Therapy, might be effective in alleviating both nightmares and insomnia symptoms. Regarding the relationships between insomnia and dreams, compared with controls, the dreams of individuals with insomnia are characterized by more negative contents and affects. The results show that insomnia and nightmares are connected and may be mutually aggravating. A model is proposed to explain how insomnia might increase the likelihood of experiencing nightmares, and how nightmares can in turn lead to sleep loss and nonrestorative sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia-Pizzamiglio Delage
- École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; CERVO Brain Research Center, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Jeannie Côté
- École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | | | - Alexandre Lemyre
- École de Criminologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Célyne H Bastien
- École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; CERVO Brain Research Center, Québec, QC, Canada; Research Laboratory on Human Neurophysiology and Sleep, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
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Reffi AN, Moore DA, Drake CL. Objective sleep disturbance in nightmares: is prolonged sleep onset latency a proxy for fear-of-sleep-related arousal? Sleep 2024; 47:zsae040. [PMID: 38353132 PMCID: PMC11009021 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsae040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony N Reffi
- Thomas Roth Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - David A Moore
- Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Division of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Christopher L Drake
- Thomas Roth Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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Hamilton NA, Russell J, Hamadah K, Youngren W, Toon A, Nguyen TA, Joles K. Screening for Comorbidity of Sleep Disorders in Career Firefighters. J Occup Environ Med 2024; 66:43-50. [PMID: 37853663 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and sequelae of insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and comorbid OSA and insomnia (COMISA). METHOD In the morning, after a shift end, Midwest career firefighters ( N = 89) in a midsized city completed an electronic battery of questionnaire to screen for OSA, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, presleep arousal, nightmares, mental and physical health symptoms, and a one-night sleep diary. RESULTS Prevalence of firefighters exceeding screening thresholds: OSA: 54%; insomnia: 30%; COMISA: 17%; four or more nightmares per month: 15%. Firefighters who met criteria for COMISA had shorter total sleep time, less restful and worse sleep quality, higher depression and anxiety symptoms, and presleep arousal symptoms than firefighters without self-reported sleep problems. CONCLUSIONS Many firefighters are at elevated risk of individual behavioral sleep disorders, COMISA, and daytime dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy A Hamilton
- From the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas (N.A.H., J.R., K.H., W.Y., A.T., T.A.N.); and Lawrence, Douglas County Fire and Medical, Lawrence, Kansas (K.J.)
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Hamilton NA, Russell JA, Youngren WA, Gallegos AM, Crean HF, Cerulli C, Bishop TM, Hamadah K, Schulte M, Pigeon WR, Heffner KL. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia treatment attrition in patients with weekly nightmares. J Clin Sleep Med 2023; 19:1913-1921. [PMID: 37421316 PMCID: PMC10620662 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.10710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES This study's objective was to evaluate the effect of nightmares (NMs) on attrition and symptom change following cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) treatment using data from a successful CBT-I randomized controlled trial delivered to participants with recent interpersonal violence exposure. METHODS The study randomized 110 participants (107 women; mean age: 35.5 years) to CBT-I or to an attention-control group. Participants were assessed at 3 time periods: baseline, post-CBT-I (or attention control), and at time 3 (T3) post-cognitive processing therapy received by all participants. NM reports were extracted from the Fear of Sleep Inventory. Participants with weekly NMs were compared with those with fewer than weekly NMs on outcomes including attrition, insomnia, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression. Change in NM frequency was examined. RESULTS Participants with weekly NMs (55%) were significantly more likely to be lost to follow-up post-CBT-I (37%) compared with participants with infrequent NMs (15.6%) and were less likely to complete T3 (43%) than patients with less frequent NMs (62.5%). NMs were unrelated to differential treatment response in insomnia, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Treatment with CBT-I was not associated with reduced NM frequency; however, change in sleep-onset latency from post-CBT-I to T3 predicted fewer NMs at T3. CONCLUSIONS Weekly NMs were associated with attrition but not a reduced change in insomnia symptoms following CBT-I. NM symptoms did not change as a function of CBT-I, but change in sleep-onset latency predicted lower NM frequency. CBT-I trials should screen for NMs and consider augmenting CBT-I to specifically address NMs. CITATION Hamilton NA, Russell JA, Youngren WA, et al. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia treatment attrition in patients with weekly nightmares. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(11):1913-1921.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Westley A. Youngren
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Finger Lakes Health Care System, Canandaigua, New York
| | - Autumn M. Gallegos
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Hugh F. Crean
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Finger Lakes Health Care System, Canandaigua, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
- Elaine Hubbard Center for Nursing Research on Aging, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Catherine Cerulli
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
- Susan B. Anthony Center and Laboratory of Interpersonal Violence and Victimization, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Todd M. Bishop
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Finger Lakes Health Care System, Canandaigua, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | | | | | - Wilfred R. Pigeon
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Finger Lakes Health Care System, Canandaigua, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Kathi L. Heffner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
- Elaine Hubbard Center for Nursing Research on Aging, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
- Division of Geriatrics & Aging, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
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Dumser B, Werner GG, Ehring T, Takano K. Symptom dynamics among nightmare sufferers: An intensive longitudinal study. J Sleep Res 2022; 32:e13776. [PMID: 36351660 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Nightmares are considerably prevalent in the general population and are known to be closely associated with a variety of mental disorders. However, not much is known about the immediate antecedents and consequences of nightmares. Therefore, we used intensive longitudinal assessments to investigate the night-to-night within-person associations between nightmares on the one hand and fear of sleep, somatic as well as cognitive pre-sleep arousal, and sleep quality on the other hand. Young women with regular nightmares (n = 16) maintained a sleep diary for around 30 days; upon awaking, the participants reported on nightmares and sleep quality during the past night as well as the pre-sleep levels of arousal and fear of sleep (which resulted in 461 observations). Participants also wore an actigraph, which provided objective sleep parameters. Multilevel modeling showed that higher levels of fear of sleep and lower subjective sleep quality were significantly associated with higher levels of nightmare distress. Furthermore, we found individual differences in the strength of these associations, which implies that factors proximate to nightmares may vary across individuals. Pre-sleep arousal, however, did not show expected within-person associations with nightmares or fear of sleep. These findings highlight the crucial role of fear of sleep in the etiology of nightmares and sleep disturbances, while pointing to the importance of pursuing individual, personalised models that explain heterogeneity in the process of triggering nightmares.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Dumser
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, LMU Munich Munich Germany
| | - Gabriela G. Werner
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, LMU Munich Munich Germany
| | - Thomas Ehring
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, LMU Munich Munich Germany
| | - Keisuke Takano
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, LMU Munich Munich Germany
- Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute (HIIRI), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Tokyo Japan
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Isaac F, Toukhsati SR, DiBenedetto M, Kennedy GA. Cognitive behavioral therapy-based treatments for insomnia and nightmares in adults with trauma symptoms: a systematic review. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-11. [PMID: 35891889 PMCID: PMC9303051 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03512-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fadia Isaac
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Office 211, Building HP, Mt Helen Campus, PO Box 663, Ballarat, Victoria 3353 Australia
| | - Samia R. Toukhsati
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Office 211, Building HP, Mt Helen Campus, PO Box 663, Ballarat, Victoria 3353 Australia
| | | | - Gerard A. Kennedy
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Office 211, Building HP, Mt Helen Campus, PO Box 663, Ballarat, Victoria 3353 Australia
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria Australia
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Victoria, Australia
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Ranney RM, Gloria R, Metzler TJ, Huggins J, Neylan TC, Maguen S. Brief behavioral treatment for insomnia decreases trauma-related nightmare frequency in veterans. J Clin Sleep Med 2022; 18:1831-1839. [PMID: 35393934 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.10002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Trauma-related nightmares are highly prevalent among veterans and are associated with higher severity insomnia and PTSD. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I, typically 6-8 sessions) has been shown to reduce trauma-related nightmares. Brief behavioral treatment for insomnia (BBTI, 4 sessions) has been found to be comparable to CBT-I in decreasing insomnia severity; however, the effects of BBTI on nightmares have not been investigated. The current study tested the effects of BBTI on both trauma-related nightmares and non-trauma-related bad dreams using an active control group, progressive muscle relaxation therapy (PMRT). Additionally, we tested whether baseline trauma-related nightmare frequency and baseline non-trauma-related bad dream frequency moderated changes in insomnia severity. METHODS Participants were 91 military veterans with insomnia disorder randomized to BBTI or PMRT. Participants reported insomnia severity on the Insomnia Severity Index and reported trauma-related nightmare frequency and non-trauma-related bad dream frequency on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index--PTSD Addendum. RESULTS We found that BBTI significantly reduced trauma-related nightmares from baseline to post-treatment while PMRT did not. However, reductions in trauma-related nightmares were not maintained at six month follow up. Neither BBTI nor PMRT reduced non-trauma-related bad dreams from baseline to post-treatment. We also found that neither baseline trauma-related nightmare frequency nor baseline non-trauma-related bad dream frequency moderated changes in insomnia symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS Findings from the current study suggest that BBTI may help to reduce trauma-related nightmares. Further research is needed to better understand potential mechanisms underlying how improved sleep may reduce trauma-related nightmares. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Brief Behavioral Insomnia Treatment Study (BBTI); Identifier: NCT02571452; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02571452.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Ranney
- Veterans Affairs San Francisco Health Care System, San Francisco, CA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA.,Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education, and Clinical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Rebecca Gloria
- Veterans Affairs San Francisco Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
| | - Thomas J Metzler
- Veterans Affairs San Francisco Health Care System, San Francisco, CA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA.,Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education, and Clinical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Joy Huggins
- Veterans Affairs San Francisco Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
| | - Thomas C Neylan
- Veterans Affairs San Francisco Health Care System, San Francisco, CA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA.,Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education, and Clinical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Shira Maguen
- Veterans Affairs San Francisco Health Care System, San Francisco, CA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA.,Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education, and Clinical Center, San Francisco, CA
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Kerig PK, Mozley MM, Mendez L. Forensic Assessment of PTSD Via DSM-5 Versus ICD-11 Criteria: Implications for Current Practice and Future Research. PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY & LAW 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12207-020-09397-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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