A Trial of Treatment for Trauma-Related Nightmares in Active Duty Military Personnel

This will be a pilot randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy for military populations (ERRT-M) among active duty service members. Participants will be randomized to 5 sessions of ERRT-M (n = 20 ) or to a 5-week waitlist control group (WL; n = 20).

Participants will complete all interviews and self-report measures 1 weeks following treatment or the WL condition and 1 month after completing treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Active duty military stationed at Fort Hood as assessed by self-report.
• Able to speak and read English.
• History of a traumatic event.
• Nightmare Disorder
• Stable on psychotropic and/or hypnotic medications and/or interventions for sleep (e.g., Continuous Positive Air Pressure for sleep apnea) administered by other providers for at least one month assessed by self-report and review of medical record.
• Willingness to refrain from beginning new behavioral health or medication treatment for issues pertaining to sleep, PTSD, or nightmares during participation in the study.
• Indication that the SM plans to be in the area for the 5 months following the first assessment

Exclusion criteria

• Current suicide or homicide risk meriting crisis intervention.
• Severe brain damage, assessed by the inability to comprehend baseline questionnaires.
• Pregnancy at baseline.
• Serious mental health diagnosis such as bipolar disorder or psychosis, assessed with the pre-treatment health interview and review of medical record.
• Currently taking propranolol.
• Currently engaged in evidence-based treatment for PTSD (i.e., Prolonged Exposure Therapy or Cognitive Processing Therapy) or Insomnia (i.e., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia).