Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Childhood Nightmares

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Overseen by Tara Buck, MD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Oklahoma

Disqualifiers: Sleep apnea, Language skills, Suicidal, others

No Placebo Group

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the efficacy of CBT-NC intervention to determine its impact on mental health and suicidality in children ages 6-17. The main aims are: Aim 1: Examine CBT-NC efficacy for improving nightmare distress and frequency in youth with chronic nightmares by comparing the treatment and waitlist group. Aim 2: Examine whether improvements in nightmares relate to fewer mental health problems for youth by determining by comparing the treatment and waitlist group.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but children on prescribed psychotropic medications must be stable for 30 days before enrolling.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares in Children?

Research shows that Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), a component of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares, can reduce the frequency and distress of nightmares in children. Studies have found that children who participated in IRT experienced fewer nightmares and less anxiety related to their dreams. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares safe for children?

Research on Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares, shows it can be used safely in both children and adults, including those with serious mental illnesses, without any reported adverse reactions. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares in Children different from other treatments for childhood nightmares?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares in Children (CBT-NC), particularly using Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), is unique because it involves children actively changing the storyline of their nightmares to reduce their frequency and distress. This approach is different from other treatments as it empowers children to use their imagination to alter the nightmare, which can lead to long-lasting improvements in their sleep and anxiety levels. ^{1 2 3 6 9}

Research Team

Lisa Cromer, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Tulsa

Tara Buck, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Oklahoma

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children aged 6-17 who experience frequent nightmares and are not at immediate risk of self-harm. They must be stable on any psychotropic medications for 30 days, speak English at a minimum 6-year-old level, have a guardian to accompany them, and access to WIFI/data with a camera-enabled device.

Inclusion Criteria

Child must have a parent or legal guardian attend study visits with them

Participants must have access to WIFI/phone data in order to participate in this study and must have an electronic device with a camera enabled

My child can speak and understand English like a 6-year-old or better.

Exclusion Criteria

Children who have trouble understanding or speaking at the level of a 6-year-old or younger.

My child's sleep apnea is not effectively managed.

If it is determined that a child is actively suicidal and at imminent risk for self-harm, the family will be notified and referred for immediate care. They will not be eligible for the study until they are deemed stable.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares in Children (CBT-NC) over five sessions

5 weeks

5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in mental health and suicidality after treatment

4 weeks

Weekly assessments

Waitlist Control

Participants in the waitlist control group complete assessments without receiving treatment and are offered treatment after the waitlist period

20 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares in Children (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests if Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy specifically designed for Nightmares in Children (CBT-NC) can reduce the distress and frequency of nightmares. It also looks at whether this reduction improves overall mental health. Participants will either receive the therapy or be placed on a waitlist as part of the study's design.

Participant Groups

Group I: Treatment Right-Away Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Child will start the CBT-NC treatment right away.

Group II: Waitlist Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Waitlist control group will complete the assessments at the same time as the treatment group, without receiving any treatment. They will be offered treatment after finishing the waitlist.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Oklahoma

Lead Sponsor

Trials

484

Recruited

95,900+

Dr. Scott Rollins

University of Oklahoma

Chief Executive Officer since 2016

PhD in Immunology from the University of Oklahoma

Dr. Ondria Gleason

University of Oklahoma

Chief Medical Officer

MD from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

University of Tulsa

Collaborator

Trials

16

Recruited

5,100+

Findings from Research

In a randomized controlled trial with 104 patients suffering from nightmare disorder, both imagery rescripting (IR) and imaginal exposure (IE) significantly reduced nightmare frequency and distress compared to a wait-list control group.

The positive effects of both treatments were not only immediate but also sustained over 3- and 6-month follow-ups, suggesting that IR and IE are effective components of cognitive-behavioral therapies for nightmares.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of imagery rescripting and imaginal exposure for nightmares: A randomized wait-list controlled trial. Kunze, AE., Arntz, A., Morina, N., et al.[2019]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Imagery rehearsal therapy for frequent nightmares in children. [2019]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive-behavioral self-help treatment for nightmares: a randomized controlled trial. [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adaptation of imagery rehearsal therapy for nightmares in children: A brief report. [2011]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of imagery rehearsal therapy for the treatment of combat-related nightmares in veterans. [2019]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Imagery rehearsal therapy in addition to treatment as usual for patients with diverse psychiatric diagnoses suffering from nightmares: a randomized controlled trial. [2019]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of imagery rescripting and imaginal exposure for nightmares: A randomized wait-list controlled trial. [2019]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of Nightmares in Psychiatric Inpatients With Imagery Rehearsal Therapy: An Open Trial and Case Series. [2020]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review of cognitive-behavioral treatment for nightmares: toward a well-established treatment. [2019]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical management of chronic nightmares: imagery rehearsal therapy. [2019]