Narcolepsy Nightmare Study

Northwestern University7 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to test two behavioral treatments for nightmares in adults with narcolepsy. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) effective for narcolepsy-related nightmares? * Does adding targeted dream control (TDC) to IRT make it more effective? Participants will be randomized to one of two treatment groups and will be asked to: * Complete a daily log of sleep symptoms for up to 13 weeks. * Attend 7 sessions of treatment. * Complete questionnaires before and after treatment. * Go to the research lab in Evanston, IL to complete a sleep study during a daytime nap (Chicago area residents only).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Narcolepsy Narcolepsy Type 1 Narcolepsy With Cataplexy Narcolepsy Type 2

Interventions

Imagery rehearsal therapyBEHAVIORAL

Therapy to reduce nightmares, delivered via videoconference sessions

Targeted dream controlBEHAVIORAL

Therapy to reduce nightmares, delivered in videoconference sessions and lab session. Lab session will involve a sleep study during a daytime nap.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria (all participants): * Diagnosis of narcolepsy * Age 18 or older * Speak English * Live in the United States * Receiving standard medical care for narcolepsy * Sleep and psychiatric medications stable for at least 3 months * Nightmare frequency of ≥3 times per week * Nightmare Disorder Index score indicates probable nightmare disorder Inclusion Criteria (Chicago area participants): * Able to attend a study appointment in Evanston, IL * Able and willing to not take wake-promoting medications on day of lab visit Exclusion Criteria: * History of a neurological disorder that might alter EEG * Currently engaged in sleep- or trauma-focused psychotherapy * Previous behavioral treatment for nightmares * Medical, psychiatric, or cognitive condition which would interfere with ability to engage in the treatment * Untreated sleep apnea (AHI ≥ 5)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Nightmare Frequency

Frequency of nightmares as measured by daily diary

Time frame: Baseline (assessed daily for 2 or 4 weeks) and posttreatment (assessed daily for 2 weeks beginning in week 9 or 11)

Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Scale

Measures nightmare severity. Minimum = 0, maximum = 37. Higher scores represent a worse severity of nightmares.

Time frame: Baseline and posttreatment (up to 13 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes

Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety Scale

Measures symptoms using Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) with higher scores reflecting more anxiety symptoms (worse outcome). Population mean (T-score) of 50 with a standard deviation of 10.

Time frame: Baseline and posttreatment (up to 13 weeks)

Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Depression Scale

Measures symptoms using Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) with higher scores reflecting more depressive symptoms (worse outcome). Population mean (T-score) of 50 with a standard deviation of 10.

Time frame: Baseline and posttreatment (up to 13 weeks)

Narcolepsy Nightmare Study

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes