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NCT Number: NCT06383806

Decreasing Nightmares in Adults With Narcolepsy

The purpose of this clinical trial is learn whether a behavioral (non-medication) treatment can reduce nightmares in adults with narcolepsy. All participants will receive the treatment and will complete three assessments. Half of the participants will receive the treatment after the first assessment, and half will receive it after the second assessment. Romantic partners of participants with narcolepsy will also be eligible to enroll in the study. Partners will complete three assessments but will not participate in the treatment.

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Key information

Conditions

Narcolepsy Disorders of Excessive Somnolence Dyssomnias Mental Disorders Narcolepsy Type 1 Narcolepsy With Cataplexy Narcolepsy Without Cataplexy Nervous System Diseases Nightmare Nightmare Disorder With Associated Other Sleep Disorder Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic Sleep Wake Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Jennifer Mundt, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

801-646-8287

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

PARTICIPANTS WITH NARCOLEPSY/NIGHTMARES

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1 or narcolepsy type 2
  • Nightmare frequency of ≥1 times per week
  • Age 18 or older
  • Able to speak, read, and write in English
  • Live in the United States
  • Sleep and psychiatric medications stable for ≥ 1 month and willing to keep medications stable for the duration of the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Currently engaged in trauma- or sleep-related psychotherapy
  • Previous behavioral treatment for nightmares
  • Medical, psychiatric, or cognitive condition which would interfere with ability to engage in the treatment
  • Untreated moderate-severe sleep apnea

PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE PARTNERS OF SOMEONE WITH NARCOLEPSY

Inclusion criteria

  • Live with a romantic partner who meets the above criteria and has agreed to participate in the study
  • Age 18 or older
  • Able to speak, read, and write in English
  • Live in the United States

Treatment and study plan

Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT)

Behavioral

The intervention will consist of 7 therapy sessions (once per week for 7 weeks) which will be delivered via videoconference. During the sessions, participants will learn techniques for managing and changing nightmares.

Other names: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares (CBT-N)

Primary outcomes

  1. Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index (DDNSI)

    Time frame: Completed at each of the three assessments (baseline, 10 weeks, 19 weeks)

    The DDNSI is a questionnaire which measures the severity of nightmares.

  2. Nightmare frequency (sleep diary)

    Time frame: Completed at each of the three assessments (baseline, 10 weeks, 19 weeks)

    The number of nightmares experienced each day will be collected on daily sleep diaries completed during each assessment period.

Secondary outcomes

  1. PROMIS Anxiety

    Time frame: Completed at each of the three assessments (baseline, 10 weeks, 19 weeks)

    Questionnaire which measures the severity of anxiety symptoms.

  2. PROMIS Depression

    Time frame: Completed at each of the three assessments (baseline, 10 weeks, 19 weeks)

    Questionnaire which measures the severity of depressive symptoms.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Jennifer Mundt, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

801-646-8287

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Utah

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Imagery Rehearsal Therapy for the Treatment of Nightmares in Narcolepsy: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: DAWN

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Apr 25, 2024
Registry last updated
Jul 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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