Mental Imagery and Targeted Memory Reactivation in PTSD

Plain-language summary

With this protocol, investigators examine whether targeted memory reactivation (TMR), a technique used to strengthen memories, can accelerate remission of traumatic nightmares and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology. This protocol uses TMR during REM sleep to strengthen positive memories generated by Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), a recommended treatment of nightmares. Patients with PTSD are asked to perform 3 weekly IRT sessions and, while they generate a positive outcome of their recurrent nightmare, half of the patients are exposed to a sound S1 (TMR group), while the other half is not exposed to this sound (control group). All patients will perform IRT every evening at home and will be exposed to the sound S1 during REM sleep with a wireless headband, which automatically detects sleep stages. Clinical evaluation of the severity of PTSD and nightmares before and after (1-month follow-up and 3-months follow-up) this intervention takes place using the validated Clinically Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5, primary outcome measure). The investigators hypothesize that patients treated with IRT and who are exposed, during REM sleep to a sound that had previously been associated with the new positive dream scenario of IRT (TMR group), will have more reduced frequency of PTSD severity and nightmares compared to participants with stimulation of the same, but non-associated, sound during REM sleep (control group).

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