Exploring nightmares and intervention in detained forensic patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Nightmares and related sleep disturbances in forensic mental health: Exploring association with externalising behaviours and feasibility of intervention.
IRAS ID
353981
Contact name
Jane Ireland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Lancashire
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Nightmares, which consist of upsetting or disturbed dreaming, are prevalent in psychiatric populations, with demonstrated links to worsening clinical symptoms and increased suicide risk. Despite this, nightmares lack formal assessment in inpatient settings, with forensic sampling for nightmare research and sleep interventions particularly scarce. While nightmares are considered treatable in psychiatric populations with minimal contact imagery interventions, some psychological interventions are difficult to implement in psychiatric settings. Therefore, alternative brief interventions for treating nightmares in complex populations require consideration. The promising Dream Completion Technique® (DCT), which involves educating about nightmares and imagery techniques, requires feasibility testing in high-risk psychiatric populations. The current study aims to address gaps by exploring nightmares in detained forensic patients and test the feasibility and impact of a brief comprehensive nightmare intervention with this sample. Establishing the nature of nightmares and their underlying mechanisms will inform appropriate treatment and assessment of nightmares in high-risk populations. Understanding forensic patients’ experiences of nightmares and their impact on psychiatric symptoms and behaviour would improve identification of sleep problems, develop theory and positively benefit patients’ mental health. This study consists of two parts. First, participating patients detained in a forensic psychiatric hospital will be administered self-report measures about sleep, nightmares and mental health. Those with nightmares will then be selected for interviews to explore their nightmares in depth, before random allocation to one of two conditions, DCT, or sleep hygiene education. Participants assigned to their condition will attend sessions to learn their assigned technique. To evaluate the effectiveness of intervention, participants will complete self-report measures at pre and post intervention, including evaluation questions. Clinical files will also be accessed to identify incidences of externalising behaviours, background information, objective sleep data (if available), psychiatric diagnoses and medications.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0193
Date of REC Opinion
24 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion