Go Back Research Article February, 2000

A Controlled Study of Imagery Rehearsal for Chronic Nightmares in Sexual Assault Survivors With PTSD: A Preliminary Report

Author Mary P. Koss Author Barry Krakow Author Michael A. Hollifield Author TEDDY D WARNER Author Ronald M. Schrader Author Dan Tandberg Author John Lauriello

Abstract

Imagery-rehearsal therapy for chronic nightmares was assessed in a randomized, controlled study of sexual assault survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Nightmares, sleep quality, and PTSD were assessed at baseline for 169 women, who were randomized into two groups: treatment (n = 87) and wait-list control (n = 82). Treatment consisted of two 3-hr sessions and one 1-hr session conducted over 5 weeks. Of 169 participants, 91 women (Treatment, n = 43, Control, n = 48) completed a 3-month follow-up and 78 did not. At follow-up, nightmare frequency and PTSD severity decreased and sleep quality improved in the treatment group with small to minimal changes in the control group. Treatment effects were moderate to high (Cohen's d ranged from 0.57 to 1.26). Notwithstanding the large dropout rate, imagery-rehearsal therapy is an effective treatment for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with PTSD and is associated with improvement in sleep quality and decreases in PTSD severity.

Keywords

Imagery Rehearsal Therapy Chronic Nightmares Sexual Assault Survivors PTSD Treatment Randomized Controlled Study Nightmare Frequency Sleep Quality Improvement PTSD Severity Reduction Treatment Effects Psychological Intervention Trauma Recovery Follow-Up Assessment Therapy Dropout Rate Evidence-Based Treatment Social Psychology Stress Disorder Effective Treatment Sleep Quality PTSD Sexual Assault BDSM Kink Masturbation Sadism Masochism Chloroformed Gagged Gagged OTN OTM Tieable Mask Wrap Gagged Stuff Gagged Masturbation Fantasy Sexual Coercion Consent Violation Sexual Aggression Power Dynamics Sexual Violence Sexual Abuse Consent Education Rape Culture Psychological Impact Mummification Role Play Intimate Partner Violence Non-Consensual Sex Sexual Consent Sexual Fantasy Trauma-Informed Care Victim Blaming Abuse Prevention Pornography Victim Support Sexual Trauma Psychological Effects Aggressive Pornography Non-Consensual Acts Sexual Exploitation Sexual Coercion in Pornography Ethical Pornography Violence Prevention Recovery from Trauma
Document Preview
Download PDF
Details
Volume 13
Issue 4
Pages 589–609
DOI 10.1023/A:1007854015481
ISSN 0894-9867
Impact Metrics