The Development and Evaluation of a Web-Based Training Program for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares:...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Psychological Interventions
• Digital Health

Background:

• Chronic nightmares are linked to severe mental health issues like PTSD and depression.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares (CBT-N) is effective but underutilized due to limited provider training.
• A web-based training platform, CBTNightmares.org, was developed to address this training gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a web-based provider training program for CBT-N.
• To assess the effectiveness and comparability of CBTNightmares.org against traditional training methods.

Main Methods:

• The study involved iterative development and testing of CBTNightmares.org through alpha and beta phases with behavioral health providers.
• A randomized controlled trial compared CBTNightmares.org with a live-virtual CBT-N workshop.
• Participants' knowledge and fidelity in applying CBT-N techniques were assessed via assessments and mock therapy sessions.

Main Results:

• CBTNightmares.org demonstrated comparable, and in some metrics superior, outcomes to the live-virtual workshop (86% vs. 78% posttest scores).
• The web-based training met non-inferiority criteria, indicating its effectiveness in equipping providers.
• No statistically significant difference in fidelity ratings was found between the training conditions.

Conclusions:

• Web-based CBT-N training via CBTNightmares.org is an effective and comparable alternative to live workshops.
• The platform's accessibility and affordability can significantly enhance the dissemination of CBT-N.
• CBTNightmares.org is expected to improve the treatment of nightmares across military, veteran, and civilian populations.