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A combined group treatment for nightmares and insomnia in combat veterans: a pilot study
Leslie M Swanson1, Todd K Favorite, Elizabeth Horin
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. LMSwan@med.umich.edu
Abstract:
Insomnia and nightmares are hallmarks of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sleep disturbances in PTSD negatively impact clinical course and functioning. In this open clinical trial, the preliminary effects of a combined treatment for insomnia and nightmares in combat veterans with PTSD were assessed. Ten combat veterans participated in a 10-session group treatment combining cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia with exposure, rescripting, and relaxation therapy. Participants maintained daily sleep and dream diaries and completed self-report measures of sleep quality and PTSD symptoms pre- and posttreatment. Participants reported improvements in sleep and nightmares following treatment. Future research using controlled designs to evaluate this treatment is warranted.
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