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Postal self-exposure treatment of recurrent nightmares

Randomised controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Mary Burgess ,
Isaac M. Marks  and
Michael Gill
Mary Burgess*
Affiliation:
Chronic Fatigue Research Unit, London
Isaac M. Marks
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Michael Gill
Affiliation:
St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
*
Mary Burgess, Chronic Fatigue Research Unit. The New Medical School, Bessemer Road, London SES 9PJ; Tel/Fax: 0171 346 3363
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Abstract

Background

Marry nightmare sufferers do not consult a health care professional. Though behaviour and cognitive therapy can help, they have not been tested as a self-treatment method at home using a manual.

Method

One hundred and seventy adults with primary nightmares were randomised to four weeks' self-exposure or self-relaxation at home using manuals posted to them, or to a waiting-list as a control group for four weeks. Individuals recorded nightmare frequency and intensity in four-week diaries.

Results

At one- and six-month follow-up, the self-rated nightmare frequency felt more significantly in exposure subjects than relaxation or waiting-list subjects. The self-exposure group had the most drop-outs but remained superior in an over-cautious intent-to-treat analysis. The individuals' partners confirmed the superiority of self-exposure to self-relaxation at one- and six-month follow-up.

Conclusions

Recurrent nightmare sufferers improved more with self-exposure manuals than with self-relaxation manuals or by being on a waiting-list. Self-exposure may be needed for longer than four weeks in order to reduce nightmare intensity as well as frequency. Despite a high drop-out rate, some sufferers of other conditions may benefit from self-treatment manuals.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 172 , Issue 3 , March 1998 , pp. 257 - 262
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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