A new therapy for treating recurring nightmares

Nightmare Rescripting and Rehearsal: Testing a 10-Minute Intervention to Treat Recurring Distressing Dreams in Primary Care.

NA · Mike O'Callaghan Military Hospital · NCT04529070

This study is testing a quick therapy called Nightmare Rescripting and Rehearsal Therapy to see if it can help people with recurring nightmares feel less scared and have fewer nightmares compared to those who only get sleep tips.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment156 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMike O'Callaghan Military Hospital (fed)
Locations1 site (Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada)
Trial IDNCT04529070 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study tests the effectiveness of a brief intervention called Nightmare Rescripting and Rehearsal Therapy (NRRT) for treating recurring nightmares in a primary care setting. The intervention is administered by non-mental health professionals and is designed to be completed in just ten minutes. Participants will receive sleep hygiene education and will be evaluated using the Nightmare Distress Questionnaire and Nightmare Frequency Tool at multiple intervals. The study aims to determine if NRRT can significantly reduce nightmare distress and frequency compared to a control group receiving only sleep hygiene education.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include active duty military members and DoD beneficiaries aged 18 and older who experience recurring disturbing dreams.

Not a fit: Patients who do not meet the minimum score on the Nightmare Distress Questionnaire and Nightmare Frequency Tool or those unwilling to refrain from sleep medications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could provide a quick and effective non-pharmacologic treatment option for patients suffering from recurring nightmares.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with similar non-pharmacologic approaches to treating nightmares, suggesting potential for success in this intervention.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
\*\*Patients must be able to get care at Nellis Air Force Base (a military installation) in order to participate in this study\*\*

Inclusion Criteria:

* Active Duty members and DoD beneficiaries.
* Aged 18 years or older
* Recurring disturbing dreams (at least three times per month for the past one month)
* Participants must score a 15 out of a possible 52 on the Nightmare Distress Questionnaire and Nightmare Frequency Tool in order to qualify.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Aged less than 18 years old
* Unwilling to refrain from taking an over the counter or prescription medication for the purpose of improving sleep during the course of the study.
* Participants that score less than a 15 out of a possible 52 on the Nightmare Distress Questionnaire and Nightmare Frequency will be excluded

Where this trial is running

Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Nightmare, Sleep, nightmare rescripting, dreams, behavioral health, sleep

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.