Lucid Dreaming Treatment for Nightmares: A Pilot Study

A pilot study tested lucid dreaming treatment (LDT) for chronic nightmares. Twenty-three nightmare sufferers were randomly assigned to an individual LDT session, a group LDT session, or a waiting list. Twelve weeks later, nightmare frequency decreased in both treatment groups. Sleep quality and posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity showed no significant changes. Becoming lucid during nightmares was not necessary for the reduction in nightmare frequency. The key therapeutic component—exposure, mastery, or lucidity—remains unclear.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of the cognitive-restructuring technique 'lucid dreaming treatment' (LDT) on chronic nightmares. Becoming lucid (realizing that one is dreaming) during a nightmare allows one to alter the nightmare storyline during the nightmare itself. METHODS: After having filled out a sleep and a posttraumatic stress disorder questionnaire, 23 nightmare sufferers were randomly divided into 3 groups; 8 participants received one 2-hour individual LDT session, 8 participants received one 2-hour group LDT session, and 7 participants were placed on the waiting list. LDT consisted of exposure, mastery, and lucidity exercises. Participants filled out the same questionnaires 12 weeks after the intervention (follow-up). RESULTS: At follow-up the nightmare frequency of both treatment groups had decreased. There were no significant changes in sleep quality and posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity. Lucidity was not necessary for a reduction in nightmare frequency. CONCLUSIONS: LDT seems effective in reducing nightmare frequency, although the primary therapeutic component (i.e. exposure, mastery, or lucidity) remains unclear.