RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07069517

Accelerated Treatment for Co-occurring Insomnia, Nightmares, and PTSD

Accelerated Treatment for Co-occurring Insomnia, Nightmares, and PTSD: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sponsor

Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research

Enrollment

160 participants

Start Date

Dec 2, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Insomnia PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Nightmares

Summary

This study is a two-arm individually randomized group treatment clinical trial evaluating behavioral therapies for insomnia, nightmares, and PTSD. The study will compare cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia and nightmares to sleep hygiene (Control), both integrated with Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD and delivered in an accelerated (i.e., 5-day) group treatment format, preceded and followed by individual treatment sessions. 160 participants will be randomized into one of two study conditions.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 65 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing an accelerated therapy program that addresses PTSD, insomnia, and nightmares all together in a compressed timeframe, for active-duty military or veterans who are experiencing all three conditions at the same time. **You may be eligible if...** - You are an active-duty service member or veteran, aged 18 to 65 - You are enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) - You have clinically significant PTSD symptoms (including flashbacks or avoidance) - You have insomnia (difficulty sleeping) and nightmares at least once a month - You are willing to pause other new mental health or sleep treatments during the study **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You are currently at risk of suicide or harming others - You are already receiving evidence-based therapy for PTSD or insomnia (like Prolonged Exposure or CBT-I) - You have mania, psychosis, or a substance use disorder needing urgent care - You are pregnant - You regularly work night shifts that end after 9 PM or start before 5:30 AM Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALCognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi)

CBTi focuses on stimulus control, eliminating maladaptive coping habits, reducing arousal, and challenging maladaptive thoughts about sleep in an effort to reduce time to fall asleep and time awake during the night.

BEHAVIORALCognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares (CBTn)

CBTn involves writing about a distressing or frequent nightmare, rewriting the narrative of the nightmare to target trauma-related themes, and reading the rescripted nightmare narrative.

BEHAVIORALWritten Exposure Therapy (WET)

WET is a trauma-focused intervention in which individuals write about their worst traumatic experience following scripted instruction from the therapist.

BEHAVIORALSleep Hygiene

Involves reviewing sleep diary data, sleep education, and reviewing and discussing sleep hygiene practices.