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Kitano M, Giltay EJ, Saito T, van der Does FHS, Chiba T, Vermetten E, Edo N, Waki F, Koga M, Toda H, van der Wee NJ, Nagamine M. Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Japanese Peacekeepers Deployed in South Sudan. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2424388. [PMID: 39046737 PMCID: PMC11270132 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.24388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Peacekeepers in United Nations missions experience potentially traumatic events, resulting in increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Understanding the course and risk factors of PTSD symptom severity is crucial to ensure personnel safety. Objective To investigate the incidence of PTSD, symptom severity trajectories, and potential risk factors associated with adverse trajectories among Japanese peacekeepers deployed in South Sudan. Design, Setting, and Participants Data for this 6-year prospective cohort study were collected from December 2011 to December 2018 from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel deployed at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, corresponding to before and up to 78 months after deployment. Of 3799 potential participants, 80 were excluded because of multiple deployments and 757 because of missing data, incomplete responses, or not providing informed consent. Therefore, 2962 participants were included in the analysis. Data analysis was performed from February 2022 to February 2024. Exposure The participants were deployed to United Nations Mission in South Sudan for 6 months. Main Outcomes and Measures The 22-item Impact of Event Scale-Revised was used to assess PTSD symptoms, with 25 or more points indicating probable PTSD (p-PTSD). Sociodemographic data were collected, and the 30-item General Health Questionnaire was administered before deployment to identify risk factors for PTSD symptom severity. Results In the 2962 participants studied (2901 [97.9%] male; mean [SD] age, 33.9 [7.2] years), the incidence of p-PTSD was 3.95%. Latent growth mixture models identified 4 symptom severity trajectories: resilient (2143 [72.3%]), recovery (479 [16.2%]), protracted (182 [6.1%]), and delayed (158 [5.3%]). Multinomial logistic regression showed that sleep disturbance was a common risk factor for the 2 most severe trajectories (protracted: odds ratio [OR], 1.29; 95% CI, 1.08-1.54; delayed: OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03-1.53), whereas older age (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06-1.48), anxiety and dysphoria (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.20-1.75), and general illness (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.06-1.59) were associated with the protracted trajectory. Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study found that approximately 4% of the participants developed p-PTSD and identified 4 distinct PTSD symptom trajectories. The findings suggest that addressing sleep disturbance and general health issues could effectively prevent PTSD symptoms among peacekeepers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Kitano
- Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - Erik J. Giltay
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Health Campus The Hague, Leiden University, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Taku Saito
- Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | | | - Toshinori Chiba
- Department of Psychiatry, Japan Self-Defense Force Hanshin Hospital, Kawanishi, Japan
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Naoki Edo
- Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - Fumiko Waki
- Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - Minori Koga
- Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Toda
- Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Nic J. van der Wee
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Masanori Nagamine
- Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Saitama, Japan
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Pavlova I, Rogowska AM. Exposure to war, war nightmares, insomnia, and war-related posttraumatic stress disorder: A network analysis among university students during the war in Ukraine. J Affect Disord 2023; 342:148-156. [PMID: 37690539 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Little is known about the prevalence and associations between war-related variables among Ukrainians during the Russian invasion. The present study assesses the prevalence and associations between exposure to war (EW), nightmares of war (NW), insomnia, and war-related post-traumatic stress disorder (WPTSD) among university students from Ukraine. METHODS During the war, an online cross-sectional study was performed among university students (N = 1072) from western Ukraine. Newly developed questions evaluated EW and NW, while insomnia was measured using Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and for assessing war-related PTSD symptoms, we adopted an abbreviated six-item PTSD checklist (PCL-6). The associations between exposure to war, nightmares of war, and symptoms of insomnia and PTSD were examined using network analysis (NA). RESULTS Among university students, 98 % declared exposure to war, 86 % dreamed nightmares of war, 49 % experienced insomnia symptoms, and 27 % presented symptoms of PTSD. A network analysis found that war-related PTSD has a central and the greatest impact on the frequency of war nightmares and the severity of insomnia symptoms. LIMITATIONS Self-report measurements were applied to a gender-unbalanced sample of university students from the western regions of Ukraine, so it would be inappropriate to generalize to the population directly affected by the war. CONCLUSIONS War-related PTSD symptoms had the most significant impact on the other variables. Therefore, war-related PTSD should be a priority in treatment among university students in Ukraine. However, multidisciplinary integrative intervention programs that treat nightmares, insomnia, and PTSD, can be the most effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliia Pavlova
- Theory and Methods of Physical Culture Department, Lviv State University of Physical Culture, Lviv, Ukraine
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Reffi AN, Kalmbach DA, Cheng P, Drake CL. The sleep response to stress: how sleep reactivity can help us prevent insomnia and promote resilience to trauma. J Sleep Res 2023; 32:e13892. [PMID: 37020247 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13892] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Sleep reactivity is a predisposition to sleep disturbance during environmental perturbations, pharmacological challenges, or stressful life events. Consequently, individuals with highly reactive sleep systems are prone to insomnia disorder after a stressor, engendering risk of psychopathology and potentially impeding recovery from traumatic stress. Thus, there is tremendous value in ameliorating sleep reactivity to foster a sleep system that is robust to stress exposure, ultimately preventing insomnia and its downstream consequences. We reviewed prospective evidence for sleep reactivity as a predisposition to insomnia since our last review on the topic in 2017. We also reviewed studies investigating pre-trauma sleep reactivity as a predictor of adverse post-traumatic sequelae, and clinical trials that reported the effect of behavioural treatments for insomnia on mitigating sleep reactivity. Most studies measured sleep reactivity via self-report using the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST), demonstrating high scores on this scale reliably indicate a sleep system with a lower capacity to tolerate stress. Nascent evidence suggests elevated sleep reactivity prior to trauma increases the risk of negative posttraumatic outcomes, namely acute stress disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Lastly, sleep reactivity appears most responsive to behavioural insomnia interventions when delivered early during the acute phase of insomnia. Overall, the literature strongly supports sleep reactivity as a premorbid vulnerability to incident acute insomnia disorder when faced with an array of biopsychosocial stressors. The FIRST identifies individuals at risk of insomnia a priori, thereby guiding early interventions toward this vulnerable population to prevent insomnia and promote resilience to adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony N Reffi
- Thomas Roth Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - David A Kalmbach
- Thomas Roth Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Philip Cheng
- Thomas Roth Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Christopher L Drake
- Thomas Roth Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Rogowska AM, Pavlova I. A path model of associations between war-related exposure to trauma, nightmares, fear, insomnia, and posttraumatic stress among Ukrainian students during the Russian invasion. Psychiatry Res 2023; 328:115431. [PMID: 37688837 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study examined the associations between war-related exposure, nightmares, fear, insomnia, and PTSD symptoms among university students from Western Ukraine. An online cross-sectional study was performed among 1,072 university students (80% of whom were women) during the war. Eight questions were developed to assess exposure to war, and seven items were designed regarding nightmares of war. War-related PTSD symptoms were assessed using an abbreviated six-item PTSD checklist (PCL-6), insomnia was measured using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and to examine fear of war, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FoCV-19S) was adopted. Positive correlations were found between exposure to war, nightmares of war, fear of war, insomnia, and war-related PTSD. The path model using structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis showed that the chain mediation partially explains the relationship between war exposure and war-related PTSD symptoms via nightmares of war, fear of war, and insomnia among university students during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Women scored significantly higher than men in fear of war and symptoms of insomnia and PTSD, but the path model was invariant across genders. Young adults require treatment focused primarily on nightmares, insomnia, and fear of war to prevent PTSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iuliia Pavlova
- Theory and Methods of Physical Culture Department, Lviv State University of Physical Culture, Lviv, Ukraine
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Shaver JF, Woods NF. Complexities of intimate partner violence and insomnia: why some midlife women cannot sleep. Menopause 2023; 30:357-360. [PMID: 36917761 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000002169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
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Carlson GC, Sharifian N, Jacobson IG, LeardMann CA, Rull RP, Martin JL. Contribution of post-trauma insomnia to depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in women service members: findings from the Millennium Cohort Study. Sleep 2023; 46:zsac313. [PMID: 36546353 PMCID: PMC9995785 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES We examined whether women service members and veterans who reported recent combat and/or sexual trauma experiences had a greater risk of insomnia compared with women who did not report these recent experiences, and whether insomnia would be associated with a greater risk of mental health outcomes. METHODS We analyzed two waves of survey data (2011-2013, Time 1 [T1] and 2014-2016, Time 2 [T2]) from 26 443 current and former women service members from the Millennium Cohort Study. We assessed recent traumas in the past 3 years, and probable insomnia at T1 and probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression at T2. A longitudinal mediation model was used to quantify separate indirect effects of recent traumas on mental health outcomes through probable insomnia. RESULTS Women who had experienced recent sexual assault (odds ratio [OR] = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.24-2.10), sexual harassment (OR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.05-1.41), and combat (OR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.20-1.49) at T1 had a greater risk of probable insomnia at T1 compared with women who had not recently experienced these events. Probable insomnia at T1, in turn, was associated with probable depression (OR = 2.66; 95% CI = 2.31-3.06) and PTSD (OR = 2.57; 95% CI = 2.27-2.90) at T2. Recent combat experience did not moderate the associations of recent sexual trauma with insomnia or mental health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Insomnia contributes to the risk of subsequent mental health conditions following trauma. The diagnosis and treatment of post-trauma insomnia should be prioritized to mitigate the development of posttraumatic mental health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwendolyn C Carlson
- Department of Mental Health, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Neika Sharifian
- Leidos, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Isabel G Jacobson
- Leidos, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia A LeardMann
- Leidos, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Rudolph P Rull
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer L Martin
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Slavish DC, Ruggero CJ, Briggs M, Messman BA, Contractor AA, Miao J, Oltmanns JR, Waszczuk MA, Luft BJ, Kotov R. Longitudinal associations between PTSD and sleep disturbances among World Trade Center responders. Sleep Med 2023; 101:269-277. [PMID: 36462305 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2022.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by substantial disruptions in sleep quality, continuity, and depth. Sleep problems also may exacerbate PTSD symptom severity. Understanding how PTSD and sleep may reinforce one another is critical for informing effective treatments. PATIENTS/METHODS In a sample of 452 World Trade Center 9/11 responders (mean age = 55.22, 89.4% male, 66.1% current or former police), we examined concurrent and cross-lagged associations between PTSD symptom severity, insomnia symptoms, nightmares, and sleep quality at 3 time points ∼1 year apart. Data were analyzed using random intercept cross-lagged panel models. RESULTS PTSD symptom severity and sleep variables were relatively stable across time (intraclass correlation coefficients: 0.63 to 0.84). Individuals with more insomnia symptoms, more nightmares, and poorer sleep quality had greater PTSD symptom severity, on average. Within-person results revealed that greater insomnia symptoms and nightmares at Time 1 were concurrently associated with greater PTSD symptoms at Time 1. Insomnia symptoms were also concurrently associated with PTSD symptoms at Times 2 and 3, respectively. Cross-lagged and autoregressive results revealed that PTSD symptoms and nightmares predicted nightmares at the next timepoint. CONCLUSIONS Overall, results suggest PTSD and sleep problems may be linked at the same point in time but may not always influence each other longitudinally. Further, individuals who experience more sleep disturbances on average may suffer from more debilitating PTSD. Evidence-based treatments for PTSD may consider incorporating treatment of underlying sleep disturbances and nightmares.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica C Slavish
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.
| | - Camilo J Ruggero
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.
| | - Madasen Briggs
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.
| | - Brett A Messman
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.
| | - Ateka A Contractor
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.
| | - Jiaju Miao
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
| | - Joshua R Oltmanns
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
| | - Monika A Waszczuk
- Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA.
| | - Benjamin J Luft
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
| | - Roman Kotov
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
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Schenker MT, Theoswin PM, Qian H, Jordan AS, Nicholas CL, Felmingham KL. Sleep and day-to-day PTSD symptom variability: an ecological momentary assessment and actigraphy monitored study in trauma-exposed young adults. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2202058. [PMID: 37096587 PMCID: PMC10132228 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2202058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disrupted sleep and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are bi-directionally linked and have been found to mutually reinforce each other on a day-to-day basis. However, most of the previous research has focused on subjective measures of sleep only. OBJECTIVE Here, we investigated the temporal relationship between sleep and PTSD symptoms using both subjective (sleep diary) and objective measures of sleep (actigraphy). METHODS Forty-one non-treatment seeking, trauma exposed young adults (age M = 24.68, SD = 8.15) with a range of PTSD symptom severities (PTSS, 0-53 on PCL-5) were recruited. Participants completed two surveys per day over four weeks to measure day-time PTSD symptoms (i.e. PTSS and number of intrusions) and night-time sleep subjectively, while wearing an actigraphy watch to measure sleep objectively. RESULTS Linear mixed models revealed that subjectively reported sleep disruptions were associated with elevated next-day PTSS and increasing number of intrusive memories both within and between participants. Similar results were found for daytime PTSD symptoms on night-time sleep. However, these associations were not found using objective sleep data. Exploratory moderator analyses including sex (male vs. female) found that these associations differed in strength between sexes but were generally in the same direction. DISCUSSION These results were in line with our hypothesis with regards to the sleep diary (subjective sleep), but not actigraphy (objective sleep). Several factors which have implications on both PTSD and sleep, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and/ or sleep-state misperception, may be potential reasons behind those discrepancies. However, this study had limited power and needs to be replicated in larger samples. Nonetheless, these results add to the current literature about the bi-directional relationship between sleep and PTSD and have clinical implications for treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya T Schenker
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Hang Qian
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Amy S Jordan
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Christian L Nicholas
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Kim L Felmingham
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Hunt C, Stout DM, Tie Z, Acheson D, Colvonen PJ, Nievergelt CM, Yurgil KA, Baker DG, Risbrough VB. Pre-deployment threat learning predicts increased risk for post-deployment insomnia: Evidence from the Marine Resiliency Study. Behav Res Ther 2022; 159:104223. [PMID: 36327523 PMCID: PMC9893737 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Insomnia is a common and impairing consequence of military deployment, but little is known about pre-deployment risk factors for post-deployment insomnia. Abnormal threat learning tendencies are commonly observed in individuals with insomnia and maladaptive responses to stress have been implicated in the development of insomnia, suggesting that threat learning could be an important risk factor for post-deployment insomnia. Here, we examined pre-deployment threat learning as a predictor of post-deployment insomnia and the potential mechanisms underlying this effect. Male servicemembers (N = 814) completed measures of insomnia, psychiatric symptoms, and a threat learning task before and after military deployment. Threat learning indices that differentiated participants with versus withoutinsomnia at post-deployment were tested as pre-deployment predictors of post-deployment insomnia. Post-deployment insomnia was linked to elevations on several threat learning indices at post-deployment, but only higher threat conditioning, as indexed by higher threat expectancy ratings to the danger cue, emerged as a pre-deployment predictor of post-deployment insomnia. This effect was independent of combat exposure levels and partially mediated by greater post-deployment nightmares. The tendency to acquire stronger expectations of aversive events following encounters with danger cues may increase risk for post-deployment insomnia, in part due to the development of more severe nightmares.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Hunt
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, United States; University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, United States
| | - Daniel M Stout
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, United States; University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, United States
| | - Ziyun Tie
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, United States
| | - Dean Acheson
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, United States; University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, United States
| | - Peter J Colvonen
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, United States; University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, United States
| | - Caroline M Nievergelt
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, United States; University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, United States
| | - Kate A Yurgil
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Loyola University New Orleans, United States
| | - Dewleen G Baker
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, United States; University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, United States
| | - Victoria B Risbrough
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, United States; University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, United States.
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Walter KH, McCabe CT, Watrous JR, Kohen CB, Beltran JL, Kirk A, Campbell JS. Psychological comorbidity: Predictors of residential treatment response among U.S. service members with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:1381-1392. [PMID: 35470514 PMCID: PMC9790433 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Residential posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research in military samples generally shows that in aggregate, PTSD symptoms significantly improve over the course of treatment but can remain at elevated levels following treatment. Identifying individuals who respond to residential treatment versus those who do not, including those who worsen, is critical given the extensive resources required for such programs. This study examined predictors of treatment response among 282 male service members who received treatment in a U.S. Department of Defense residential PTSD program. Using established criteria, service members were classified as improved, indeterminate (referent), or worsened in terms of self-reported PTSD symptoms. Multinomial logistic regression results showed that for PTSD symptoms, higher levels of pretreatment PTSD symptom severity were associated with significantly lower odds of being in the improved group, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.955, p = .018. In addition, service members who completed treatment were significantly more likely to be in the improved group, aOR = 2.488, p = .048. Longer average pretreatment nightly sleep duration, aOR = 1.157, p = .035, and more severe pretreatment depressive symptoms, aOR = 1.109, p = .014, were associated with significantly higher odds of being in the improved group. These findings reveal clinical characteristics better suited for residential PTSD treatment and highlight implications for comorbid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen H. Walter
- Health and Behavioral Sciences DepartmentNaval Health Research CenterSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Cameron T. McCabe
- LeidosRestonVirginiaUSA,Medical Modeling, Simulation, and Mission Support DepartmentNaval Health Research CenterSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jessica R. Watrous
- LeidosRestonVirginiaUSA,Medical Modeling, Simulation, and Mission Support DepartmentNaval Health Research CenterSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Casey B. Kohen
- Health and Behavioral Sciences DepartmentNaval Health Research CenterSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA,LeidosRestonVirginiaUSA
| | - Jessica L. Beltran
- Health and Behavioral Sciences DepartmentNaval Health Research CenterSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA,LeidosRestonVirginiaUSA
| | - Alex Kirk
- Directorate of Mental HealthNaval Medical Center San DiegoSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
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Davis JP, Prindle J, Saba SK, DiGuiseppi GT, Hummer J, Lee DS, Fitzke R, Sedano A, Castro CA, Pedersen ER. What's sleep got to do with it? Longitudinal associations between insomnia, PTSD, and alcohol use among U.S. Veterans. Addict Behav 2022; 132:107358. [PMID: 35552069 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107358] [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] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
U.S. veterans are at risk for insomnia, which often co-occurs with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use. Much of the research on veterans and these three constructs is cross-sectional and focused on unidirectional pathways. Recent theoretical and empirical evidence suggests a dynamic interplay between insomnia, PTSD, and alcohol use, yet few longitudinal studies exist. A clearer understanding of these pathways is needed to help inform integrated treatments. Using a sample of 1,230 post-9/11 veterans assessed over four time points across 12 months, we used a latent difference score modeling approach to examine proportional and dynamic change between insomnia, PTSD, and alcohol. Results revealed a complex interplay between all three constructs. Higher prior levels of both PTSD and alcohol use were associated with greater subsequent changes in insomnia symptoms (i.e., worse sleep). Moreover, although veterans drank less frequently as their insomnia symptoms worsened over time, greater changes in insomnia symptoms (i.e., worse symptoms) was a mechanism linking PTSD and more frequent drinking. As the research on interventions addressing insomnia, PTSD, and alcohol is limited, there are opportunities for researchers and clinicians to develop programs that effectively target all three in integrated treatments.
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12
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van der Heijden AC, van den Heuvel OA, van der Werf YD, Talamini LM, van Marle HJF. Sleep as a window to target traumatic memories. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 140:104765. [PMID: 35803396 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric disorder in which traumatic memories result in flashbacks and nightmares. With one-third of patients not responding to standard exposure-based psychotherapy, new treatment strategies are needed. Sleep offers a unique time window to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Traumatic memories that are neutralized in therapy need to be stored back into memory (consolidated) during sleep to solidify the treatment effect. New basic research shows that memory consolidation can be enhanced by presenting sounds or scents that were linked to the memory at encoding, again during sleep. This procedure, termed targeted memory reactivation (TMR), has, despite its clinical potential, not been tested in (PTSD) patients. In this narrative review, we explore the potential of TMR as a new sleep-based treatment for PTSD. First we provide the necessary background on the memory and sleep principles underlying PTSD as well as the present applications and conditional factors of TMR. Then, we will discuss the outstanding questions and most promising experimental avenues when testing TMR to treat traumatic memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C van der Heijden
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Department Anatomy & Neuroscience, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, Mood Anxiety Psychosis Stress Sleep, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - O A van den Heuvel
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Department Anatomy & Neuroscience, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Y D van der Werf
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Department Anatomy & Neuroscience, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - L M Talamini
- University of Amsterdam, Dept. of Psychology, Brain & Cognition, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, 1018 WS Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - H J F van Marle
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Department Anatomy & Neuroscience, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, Mood Anxiety Psychosis Stress Sleep, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; GGZ inGeest Mental Health Care, Amstelveenseweg 589, 1081 JC Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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13
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Deforges C, Noël Y, Eberhard-Gran M, Garthus-Niegel S, Horsch A. Prenatal insomnia and childbirth-related PTSD symptoms: A prospective population-based cohort study. J Affect Disord 2021; 295:305-315. [PMID: 34488084 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Certain populations are at high risk of experiencing a traumatic event and developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet, primary preventive interventions against PTSD are lacking. It is therefore crucial to identify pre-traumatic risk factors, which could be targeted with such interventions. Insomnia may be a good candidate, but studies on civilians are sparse. Furthermore, the mechanisms at stake in the relationship between pre-traumatic insomnia and PTSD symptoms are unclear. METHODS This prospective population-based cohort study (n = 1,610) examined the relationship between insomnia symptoms at 32 weeks of pregnancy and childbirth-related PTSD (CB-PTSD) symptoms at eight weeks postpartum. Postnatal insomnia symptoms, prenatal psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, PTSD, fear of childbirth), subjective birth experience (SBE) and birth medical severity were included as covariates in the analyses, which were based on a Piecewise Structural Equation Modelling approach. RESULTS The relationship between prenatal insomnia and CB-PTSD symptoms was mediated by negative SBE and postnatal insomnia symptoms. All relationships involving insomnia symptoms had small or very small effect sizes. LIMITATIONS This study used self-report questionnaires. Postnatal insomnia and CB-PTSD symptoms were concurrently measured. CONCLUSION Prenatal insomnia symptoms may impair the ability to cope with a difficult birth experience and contribute to postnatal insomnia, a risk factor for CB-PTSD. Thus, prenatal insomnia symptoms may be a promising target for CB-PTSD primary preventive interventions, although other prenatal psychological symptoms could also be considered. Even beyond the perinatal context, future studies on pre-traumatic insomnia and PTSD should include post-traumatic insomnia as a covariate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Deforges
- Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare (IUFRS), University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Yvonnick Noël
- Laboratory of Psychology, Cognition, Behavior and Communication, Univ Rennes, Rennes, France.
| | - Malin Eberhard-Gran
- Norwegian Research Centre for Women's Health, Women and Children's Division, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Susan Garthus-Niegel
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Antje Horsch
- Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare (IUFRS), University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland; Woman-Mother-Child Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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14
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Isaac F, Toukhsati SR, Di Benedetto M, Kennedy GA. A Systematic Review of the Impact of Wildfires on Sleep Disturbances. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph181910152. [PMID: 34639453 PMCID: PMC8508521 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Wildfires present a serious risk to humans as well as to the environment. Wildfires cause loss of lives, economic losses, expose people to personal as well as collective trauma, and compromise the mental health of survivors. Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent following a traumatic event; however, their prevalence is not well established amongst those confronted by natural disasters such as wildfires. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesise the empirical findings pertaining to wildfires and the prevalence of sleep disturbances in the general community affected by this natural disaster. We searched EBSCO, PsychINFO, Medline, SpringerLink, CINAHL Complete, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library between January 2012 and March 2021. Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings from this systematic review suggest that sleep disturbances, assessed one to ten months following the fires, are highly prevalent in wildfire survivors, with insomnia (ranging between 63–72.5%) and nightmares (ranging between 33.3–46.5%), being the most prevalent sleep disturbances reported in this cohort. Results also highlight the significant associations between sleep disturbances and post-traumatic symptoms following the trauma of wildfires. There is a possible link between sleep disturbance prevalence, severity of, and proximity to fires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadia Isaac
- School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia; (S.R.T.); (G.A.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-3-5327-6651
| | - Samia R. Toukhsati
- School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia; (S.R.T.); (G.A.K.)
| | | | - Gerard A. Kennedy
- School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia; (S.R.T.); (G.A.K.)
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
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15
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Lancel M, van Marle HJF, Van Veen MM, van Schagen AM. Disturbed Sleep in PTSD: Thinking Beyond Nightmares. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:767760. [PMID: 34899428 PMCID: PMC8654347 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.767760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep disturbances frequently co-occur with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Insomnia and nightmares are viewed as core symptoms of PTSD. Yet, relations between disturbed sleep and PTSD are far more complex: PTSD is linked to a broad range of sleep disorders and disturbed sleep markedly affects PTSD-outcome. This article provides a concise overview of the literature on prevalent comorbid sleep disorders, their reciprocal relation with PTSD and possible underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. Furthermore, diagnostic procedures, standard interventions-particularly first choice non-pharmacological therapies-and practical problems that often arise in the assessment and treatment of sleep disturbances in PTSD are described. Finally, we will present some perspectives on future multidisciplinary clinical and experimental research to develop new, more effective sleep therapies to improve both sleep and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marike Lancel
- Centre of Expertise on Sleep and Psychiatry, GGZ Drenthe Mental Health Institute, Assen, Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Hein J F van Marle
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,GGZ InGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maaike M Van Veen
- Centre of Expertise on Sleep and Psychiatry, GGZ Drenthe Mental Health Institute, Assen, Netherlands
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