Dr. James C West, MD

NDR vs. NightWare Wristband

for Trauma-Related Nightmares

The overall goal of this Phase IIa randomized controlled pilot trial is to assess the potential efficacy of two emerging treatments for post-trauma nightmares and to test the feasibility of study design and methods. Symptom change will be assessed in two treatment arms: (1) Nightmare Deconstruction and Reprocessing (NDR), an exposure-based psychotherapy; and (2) NightWare (NW), a non-exposure approach using a wristband device. We will also assess the feasibility of circadian-dependent blood sampling and use of another wristband to collect physiologic data. Toward this goal, we will pursue the following specific aims: (1) Compare evidence of how well participants tolerate and comply with the different treatments and to test feasibility of methods and procedures; (2) Collect additional evidence of the potential efficacy of two contrasting non-pharmacologic approaches to treating posttraumatic nightmares; (3) Explore the operational stress index (OSI) as a reliable, objective measure of sleep disturbance and nightmare events.