Up to 50% of children experience nightmares annually. Nightmares interfere with sleep quality and quantity resulting in sleep deficiency, and are associated with negative mental health consequences. Previous research has shown efficacy of manualized CBT treatment for reducing trauma related nightmares in adults, and preliminary evidence has shown efficacy in children. This study is the first randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment for idiopathic, as well as trauma related nightmares in children. The treatment in a manualized CBT protocol (5 sessions) that teaches sleep hygiene, relaxation strategies, and addresses nightmares therapeutically through exposure and rescripting.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
24
The manualized CBT protocol is five sessions that teach sleep hygiene, relaxation strategies, and addresses nightmares therapeutically through exposure and rescripting.
University of Tulsa
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Change on the Child Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) - Child Version
The CATS screens for child trauma history and PTSD symptoms in youth ages 7-17; 15 YES/NO questions; 1 open-ended question
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change on the Trauma Related Nightmare Survey (TRNS-C) - Child Version
The TRNS-C is a 14 item self report measure that assesses current sleep quality, frequency, severity, and duration of nightmares, as well as cognitions, emotions, and behaviors related to nightmares in children.
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change on the Nightmare Distress Questionnaire (NDQ)
The NDQ is a 13 item self report measure of nightmare related distress. Higher scores are significantly related to interest in therapy for nightmares.
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change on the Nightmare Locus of Control (NLOC)
The N-LOC is an 6 item self report. This scale is collected as a child self report, and a caregiver report regarding child.
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - Modified (PSQI) - Child Version
The PSQI-M is a 10 item (with 2 items containing 23 sub items) self report measure of sleep quality and disturbance. It queries sleep quality and disturbances over the last month.
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change on the Children's Report of Sleep Patterns (CRSP)
The CRSP is a 62 item self report measure of children's sleep patterns, sleep hygiene, and sleep disturbances for children eight to 12 years of age
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change on the Sleep Locus of Control (SLOC)
The SLOC is an 6 item self report measure perceived contingencies between sleep behavior and events. This scale is collected as a child self report, and a caregiver report regarding child.
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)
The ESS is an 8 item self report. The test is a list of eight situations in which one rates his/her tendency to become sleepy on a scale of 0, no chance of dozing, to 3, high chance of dozing. When the test is finished, response values are added up. The total score is based on a scale of 0 to 24. The scale estimates whether one is experiencing excessive sleepiness that possibly requires medical attention.
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change in reports on Sleep Journal
6 question self report that patient assesses daily from home.
Time frame: Participants complete this assessment at Pre-treatment (for 1 week), daily during the treatment phase, at Post treatment (for 1 week), at 3 month follow-up (for 1 week), and at 6 month follow-up (for 1 week).
Change on the Child Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) - Caregiver Report regarding child
The CATS screens for child trauma history and PTSD symptoms (information obtained from the caregiver, about the child).
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change on the Children's Sleep Habits - Caregiver Report regarding child
To examine sleep habits and possible difficulties with sleep in preschool and school-aged children
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Adverse Childhood Experiences for CHILD - Caregiver Report regarding child
Assesses adverse experiences from infancy through early childhood
Time frame: approximately 3 years.
Change on the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children - Caregiver Report regarding child
SDSC is a 26-item inventory rated on a 5 point Likert-type scale. The instrument's purpose is to categorize sleep disorders in children
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change on the Parental Stress Scale
18 item self report scale used for the assessment of parental stress for both mothers and fathers and for parents of children with and without clinical problems. • 5 - Point scale; strongly disagree, disagree, undecided, agree, strongly agree. A low score signifies a low level of stress, and a high score to signifies a high level of stress.
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at Baseline (Week 0) through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Adverse Childhood Experiences for SELF - Caregiver Report regarding self
Assesses adverse experiences from infancy through early childhood
Time frame: approximately 3 years.
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