Recruiting

Behavioral Treatment

Sponsor:

University of Utah

Code:

NCT06441864

Conditions

Nightmare

Nightmare Disorder With Associated Other Sleep Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares

Study Details

Brief summary:

The purpose of this clinical trial is learn whether a behavioral (non-medication) treatment can reduce nightmares in adults with Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD). People with RBD will be enrolled in the study along with their family members (a partner or other family member residing in the same home). All participants will receive the treatment via videoconference and will complete 2 assessments. Participants with RBD will attend 7 sessions, and their family members will attend 2 of those sessions with them.

Conditions

Nightmare

Nightmare Disorder With Associated Other Sleep Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Study ID

NCT06441864

Start date

Jul 15, 2024

Status verified date

Mar, 2026

Completion date

Dec 1, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 1, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of isolated RBD or RBD secondary to neurodegenerative disease
  • Age 18 or older
  • Speak, read, and write English
  • Live in the United States
  • Nightmare frequency ≥3 times per week
  • Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index score indicative of nightmare disorder
  • Sleep, neurological, and psychiatric medications stable for at least 1 month and willing to keep medications stable through the course of the study
  • Live with a family member who is willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Possible dementia
  • Narcolepsy
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder
  • Previous behavioral treatment for nightmares
  • Currently engaged in sleep- or trauma-focused psychotherapy
  • Taking a medication that could cause RBD, if the medication was started prior to onset of RBD symptoms

Inclusion Criteria (Family Members):

  • Live with a family member who meets all of the above criteria
  • Age 18 or older
  • Speak, read, and write English
  • Live in the United States

Study Design

Enrollment

20 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: 2-week baseline

Participants will receive treatment after a 2-week baseline assessment period

experimental: 4-week baseline

Participants will receive treatment after a 4-week baseline assessment period

Interventions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares

The intervention will consist of 7 therapy sessions (once per week for 7 weeks) which will be delivered via videoconference. Family members will attend 2 of the 7 treatment sessions. During the sessions, participants will learn techniques for managing and changing nightmares.

Primary outcome measure

  • Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index (DDNSI) [ Time Frame: Baseline and posttreatment ]
  • Nightmare frequency (sleep diary) [ Time Frame: Baseline and posttreatment ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Jennifer Mundt, PhD

801-646-8287RBDstudy@utah.edu

Locations

University of Utah

Recruiting

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84108

Contacts

Jennifer Mundt, PhD

801-646-8287RBDstudy@utah.edu

Principal Investigator:

Jennifer Mundt, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

University of Utah

Last update posted

Mar 12, 2026

Last verified

Mar, 2026

Keywords

  • Imagery Rehearsal Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-26. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Utah on 2026-03-12. Recruitment status is synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the sponsor's current status. Confirm during your call.