An Expert Consensus Statement for Implementing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares in Adults
Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Research supports cognitive behavioral therapies for nightmares (CBT-N) in adults. However, the nuances of implementation and unstandardized nomenclature for treatment components has created confusion in the field. To provide clarification, an expert consensus panel convened to review treatment manual components and to develop guidelines for the standardized implementation and terminology of CBT-N. The aims of this paper are to report on the expert panel recommendations. METHODS: A literature review was conducted for nightmare treatment manuals that have been tested in randomized clinical trials with adults. the panel of experts evaluated the content and the main controversies regarding treatment components. The panel then established recommended treatment guidelines based on the literature and clinical experience. RESULTS: Recommendations pertain to which patient symptom presentations are appropriate for CBT-N and considerations for implementing treatment components including session length, relaxation training, stimulus control, sleep efficiency training, sleep hygiene, nightmare exposure, nightmare rescripting, and imagery rehearsal of rescripted dreams. The panel evaluated treatment components to inform the development of a consensus CBT-N treatment manual. CONCLUSIONS: Using a comprehensive treatment manual based on expert recommendations will not only help disseminate nightmare treatment but also advance the field by providing clarity. These recommendations are based on the status of the field and will need to be revised to incorporate developing research evidence in nightmare treatment.
Source: Behavioral Sleep Medicine
Authors: Kristi E. Pruiksma, Katherine E. Miller, Joanne L. Davis, Philip Gehrman, Gerlinde Harb, Richard J. Ross, Noelle E. Balliett, Daniel J. Taylor, Michael R. Nadorff, William Brim, Jessee R. Dietch, Hannah Tyler, Sophie Wardle-Pinkston, Rebecca L. Campbell, Joshua Friedlander, Alan L. Peterson
Institutions: The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis VA Medical Center, University of Tulsa, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania, Orlando VA Medical Center, University of Arizona, Mississippi State University, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, The University of Texas at San Antonio, South Texas Veterans Health Care System
Language: English
Topic: Sleep and related disorders
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4406484002