Narcolepsy Nightmare Study

Behavioral Treatment of Narcolepsy-Related Nightmares

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT05709873

Enrollment

Registered

2023-02-02

Start date

2023-02-22

Completion date

2024-04-30

Last updated

2024-06-12

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Narcolepsy, Narcolepsy Type 1, Narcolepsy With Cataplexy, Narcolepsy Type 2, Narcolepsy Without Cataplexy

Brief summary

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).

Interventions

BEHAVIORALImagery rehearsal therapy

Therapy to reduce nightmares, delivered via videoconference sessions

BEHAVIORALTargeted dream control

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

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

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)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Daily diary	Duration of study (11-13 weeks)	Nightmare severity/frequency

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026