0454 Sleep Disruptive Cognitions in Deployment-Related Insomnia

Introduction

Sleep disturbance is common following military deployment, and insomnia is associated with many adverse psychiatric and medical outcomes. Deployment to a threatening environment can engender nocturnal vigilance, which may be a salient feature of sleep disturbance in formerly deployed Veterans. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) is an effective treatment; however, CBTI emphasizes targeting dysfunctional beliefs about sleep (DBAS) and generalized worries rather than vigilance. The goal of the present study was to investigate the role of vigilance, in relation to other potential types of sleep-interfering cognitions in formerly deployed Veterans with sleep disturbance.

Methods

Thirty-nine formerly deployed Veterans with disturbed sleep completed measures prior to an intervention. Insomnia was measured with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and measures derived from actigraphy and morning sleep diaries administered for one week. Measures for sleep interfering cognitions included Dysfunctional Beliefs about Sleep (DBAS), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), a measure of generalized worry, and the Fear of Loss of Vigilance (FLV) subscale of the Fear of Sleep Inventory (FOSI).

Results

All of the measures of sleep-interfering cognitions were significantly associated with ISI score. Generalized worries (PSWQ scores) were strongly and significantly correlated with both FLV and DBAS, which were not significantly correlated with each other. FOSI FLV explained 7.1% more variance in ISI score than DBAS alone (p = .04) while DBAS explained 23.1% additional variance in ISI score over FOSI FLV alone (p < .001).

Conclusion

It may be important to target both nocturnal vigilance and dysfunctional beliefs about sleep in the treatment of insomnia in formerly deployed Veterans.

Support

Supported by W81XWH-14-1-0066 from the Congressionally Directed Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense.

0490 Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Brief Intervention for Post-Deployment Insomnia

Introduction

Sleep disturbances are common among previously deployed Veterans. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has shown promise for Veterans but there are limitations and CBT-I may not optimally target the nocturnal vigilance conditioned by threatening environments. We developed and preliminarily evaluated a brief educational/behavioral intervention that combined established behavioral sleep principles with cognitive exercises intended to reduce the impact of vigilant thoughts and behaviors on sleep.

Methods

Participants were 40 Veterans recruited from the community and local VAMC who had been deployed to combat zones or hazardous duty areas. The mean age was 40, and the majority were male, African American, and screened positively for PTSD. They were assigned to the study intervention or an educational control that utilized a pamphlet promoting healthy sleep habits. Assignment at a 2:1 ratio was intended to allow for refinement of the study intervention during the early phase of the trial. Initial assessment was followed by a week of sleep diary collection, then two intervention sessions a week apart, followed by a repeat assessment. Participants of the study intervention were assessed again 3-months later.

Results

Improvements in sleep efficiency, ratings for feeling rested in the morning, and reduced Insomnia Severity Index scores were seen in the post-treatment week but did not differ between groups. At 3-months, these improvements were sustained in the 14 retained participants of the study intervention, engagement in vigilance reducing exercises remained high, and ratings of how rested one felt in the morning were significantly improved over ratings from the post-treatment week.

Conclusion

Brief behavioral intervention for post-deployment insomnia can provide benefits and cognitive exercises to reduce the impact of vigilant thoughts and behaviors warrant further evaluation.

Support

Supported by W81XWH-14-1-0066 from the Congressionally Directed Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense

Evaluation of dream content in combat-related PTSD

Nightmares that replicate traumatic events are among the criteria that define posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, there has been limited systematic assessment of the content of dreams in PTSD. A PTSD dream rating instrument was developed to operationalize features attributed to dreams associated with combat-related PTSD that incorporated dimensions from the dream content analysis literature, and its reliability was assessed. Then the instrument was used to characterize dream reports in 18 Vietnam combat veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Approximately half of the group's target dreams contained features characteristic of combat, and all but 3 (17%) were moderately to highly threatening. Fifty-three percent were set at least partially in the present and 79% contained distorted elements. We therefore conclude that target dreams of combat veterans with PTSD vary with regard to replication of trauma and elements normally associated with dreaming, but typically are threatening.

Nefazodone in post-traumatic stress disorder: results from six open-label trials

Nefazodone, an antidepressant which blocks serotonin (5-HT)2 receptors and 5-HT reuptake, was evaluated in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in six open-label studies involving both civilians and combat veterans. Our objective was to report this available pooled data to characterize the response of this drug in PTSD. Specifically, we looked at response rates using three different criteria, the effect of nefazodone on each PTSD cluster and individual symptoms and, lastly, variables that might predict response. One hundred and five outpatients with chronic PTSD were treated with nefazodone titrated up to 600 mg/day, 92 of whom were entered in an intent to treat analysis. We used the percentage drop in score between baseline and endpoint on main scale as a common measure to evaluate outcome. The response criterion of a drop in score of at least 30%, 40% and 50% revealed response rates of 46, 36 and 26%, respectively. Nefazodone showed a broad spectrum of action on PTSD symptoms. This profile might make nefazodone a useful drug to treat PTSD. Predictors of response include age, sex and trauma type. Double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in PTSD are in progress to assess the utility of nefazodone as a treatment in this disorder.

Assessment of a new self-rating scale for post-traumatic stress disorder

BACKGROUND

In post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) there is a need for self-rating scales that are sensitive to treatment effects and have been tested in a broad range of trauma survivors. Separate measures of frequency and severity may also provide an advantage.

METHODS

Three hundred and fifty-three men and women completed the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS), a 17-item scale measuring each DSM-IV symptom of PTSD on 5-point frequency and severity scales. These subjects comprised war veterans, survivors of rape or hurricane and a mixed trauma group participating in a clinical trial. Other scales were included as validity checks as follows: Global ratings, SCL-90-R, Eysenck Scale, Impact of Event Scale and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R.

RESULTS

The scale demonstrated good test-retest reliability (r = 0.86), internal consistency (r = 0.99). One main factor emerged for severity and a smaller one for intrusion. In PTSD diagnosed subjects, and the factor structure more closely resembled the traditional grouping of symptoms. Concurrent validity was obtained against the SCID, with a diagnostic accuracy of 83% at a DTS score of 40. Good convergent and divergent validity was obtained. The DTS showed predictive validity against response to treatment, as well as being sensitive to treatment effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The DTS showed good reliability and validity, and offers promised as a scale which is particularly suited to assessing symptom severity, treatment outcome and in screening for the likely diagnosis of PTSD.

Assessment of a new self-rating scale for post-traumatic stress disorder

BACKGROUND

In post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) there is a need for self-rating scales that are sensitive to treatment effects and have been tested in a broad range of trauma survivors. Separate measures of frequency and severity may also provide an advantage.

METHODS

Three hundred and fifty-three men and women completed the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS), a 17-item scale measuring each DSM-IV symptom of PTSD on 5-point frequency and severity scales. These subjects comprised war veterans, survivors of rape or hurricane and a mixed trauma group participating in a clinical trial. Other scales were included as validity checks as follows: Global ratings, SCL-90-R, Eysenck Scale, Impact of Event Scale and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R.

RESULTS

The scale demonstrated good test-retest reliability (r = 0.86), internal consistency (r = 0.99). One main factor emerged for severity and a smaller one for intrusion. In PTSD diagnosed subjects, and the factor structure more closely resembled the traditional grouping of symptoms. Concurrent validity was obtained against the SCID, with a diagnostic accuracy of 83% at a DTS score of 40. Good convergent and divergent validity was obtained. The DTS showed predictive validity against response to treatment, as well as being sensitive to treatment effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The DTS showed good reliability and validity, and offers promised as a scale which is particularly suited to assessing symptom severity, treatment outcome and in screening for the likely diagnosis of PTSD.