Initial Study of Insomnia/Nightmare Group Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Insomnia, Nightmares, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Insomnia focused on measuring Insomnia, group psychotherapy, nightmares, PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder, Veterans, cognitive-behavioral intervention
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Must be enrolled in the Michael E. DeBakey VAMC Trauma Recovery Program and qualify for a diagnosis of combat-related PTSD related to service in Vietnam-era conflicts as measured by responses to the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and total score ≥ 50 on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Stressor Specific Version (PCL-S)
- Have a clinically significant sleep problem as measured by a total score > 5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
- Have a repetitive trauma-related nightmare at least once per week on average, as measured by the Nightmare Frequency Questionnaire (NFQ), and which significantly impairs sleep as measured by response ≥ 2 on question 1a of the Nightmare Effects Survey (NES)
- Be stable on current regimen of psychotropic medication (i.e., no changes to medications and/or dosages) if applicable
- Must sign consent to be audio-recorded as part of the course of the treatment
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current substance dependence
- Planned or ongoing participation in Prolonged Exposure or Cognitive Processing Therapy during treatment participation
- Organic psychosis
- Bipolar I disorder
- Epilepsy
- Currently on benzodiazepine or hypnotic medication to treat sleep
- Currently take prazosin
- Indication of undiagnosed sleep apnea defined as score ≥ .5 across items 1, 5, and 8 of the Multivariable Apnea Risk Index
- Uncontrolled sleep apnea
Sites / Locations
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Group Intervention
Treatment as Usual
Subjects randomly assigned to this arm of the study will receive the 9-week insomnia and nightmare intervention group once per week for 90 minutes in addition to continuing treatment as usual with medical and mental health providers.
This group is randomly assigned to receive only treatment as usual and does not receive the active intervention of the insomnia and nightmare group treatment. This treatment will be made available to these members once the study is completed