Trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the Dream Completion Technique
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Randomised Control Trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychological intervention for treating nightmares within a UK Primary Care NHS IAPT Service
IRAS ID
300024
Contact name
Neil Fallon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
2021-005014-33, EudraCT Number
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Nightmares are a very common symptom for individuals who have experienced psychological trauma, and they can have a significant impact on sleep quality and daily functioning. Nightmares can also continue many years after the original traumatic event, although it is also possible to have nightmares with no associated trauma. There are no specific nightmare treatment approaches routinely used within IAPT services, although technique such as Image Rehearsal Therapy have previously been evaluated in the US and Europe.
The Dream Completion Technique (DCT) is a brief technique for teaching patients how to stop nightmares and improve sleep and has advantages over treatments such as Image Rehearsal. It has previously been evaluated in group session format with UK military veterans. The core concept of the DCT approach is that content of dreams may be influenced by conscious thoughts and imagery, and that this can be used to permanently end a nightmare. By using the technique, sleep can be improved and previous studies have indicated a positive impact on daily functioning and PTSD symptoms.
A Randomised Control Trial at the Oldham Healthy Minds IAPT service is proposed to determine how effective the intervention is, and whether there is any impact on the duration and outcomes of standard therapy. For those patients experiencing at least weekly nightmares who have consented to participate, half will be randomly allocated to receive standard therapy care and the other half of the participants will receive standard care plus the DCT in the first treatment session. Standard IAPT measures will be used before, during and 3-months after completion of treatment, along with a validated measure to assess frequency and severity of nightmares and sleep disturbance called the Nightmare Assessment Scale. The trial will last 2 years and include a minimum of 60 participants experiencing weekly nightmares.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0335
Date of REC Opinion
4 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion