Dismantling Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy (ERRT)

August 21, 2023 updated by: Joanne Davis, University of Tulsa

Exposure, Relaxation, Rescripting Therapy (ERRT) Dismantling

The purpose of this case series dismantling study is to extend previous findings regarding the efficacy of a brief treatment for chronic post-trauma nightmares by examining the dose effect and mechanism of change.

Exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy (ERRT) is a promising psychological intervention developed to target trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbances. ERRT has exhibited strong support in reducing the frequency and intensity of nightmares, as well as improving overall sleep quality in both civilian and veteran samples. In addition, significant decreases in PTSD and depression symptoms have been reported following treatment (Davis et al., 2011; Davis & Wright, 2007; Long et al., 2011; Swanson, Favorite, Horin, & Arnedt, 2009). ERRT is currently an evidence-level B suggested treatment (Cranston, Davis, Rhudy, & Favorite, 2011).

Despite this evidence, the mechanism of change for ERRT remains unclear. We propose to conduct a set of case series in order to examine the possible mechanisms: psycho-education, dose response for exposure, and no exposure components of the treatment. Each part of the treatment is theorized to contribute to the improved treatment outcome and it is hypothesized that participants will benefit no matter what group they are in. All participants will receive 5 to 6 treatment sessions, conducted once per week for about 90 minutes, of a modified version of ERRT.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

50

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Oklahoma
      • Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, 74104
        • Recruiting
        • Joanne L. Davis
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Joanne L Davis, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

16 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18 years of age or older at the time of the intake,
  • experienced a traumatic event, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5),
  • have approximately one nightmare each week for the past month
  • be able to read and speak English.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • age of 17 or younger
  • acute or apparent psychosis
  • unmedicated bipolar disorder
  • intellectual disability
  • active suicidality,
  • recent parasuicidal behaviors
  • untreated substance use disorder in past 6 months

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: ERRT - Enhanced Exposure
Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy, 5 sessions, with enhanced exposure techniques
Behavioral: Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy
Brief cognitive behavioral treatment targeting trauma-related nightmares and sleep problems
Other Names:
  • ERRT
Active Comparator: ERRT - Sleep and Relaxation
Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy protocol, 5 sessions, focused on sleep and relaxation
Behavioral: Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy
Brief cognitive behavioral treatment targeting trauma-related nightmares and sleep problems
Other Names:
  • ERRT
Active Comparator: ERRT-Rescription
Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy, 5 sessions, with rescription but no exposure
Behavioral: Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy
Brief cognitive behavioral treatment targeting trauma-related nightmares and sleep problems
Other Names:
  • ERRT
Active Comparator: ERRT-Sleep
Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy, 5 sessions, with enhanced sleep techniques
Behavioral: Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy
Brief cognitive behavioral treatment targeting trauma-related nightmares and sleep problems
Other Names:
  • ERRT
Active Comparator: ERRT - Consensus Manual
Consensus Protocol, 6 sessions, includes components of ERRT and other nightmare protocols.
Behavioral: Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy
Brief cognitive behavioral treatment targeting trauma-related nightmares and sleep problems
Other Names:
  • ERRT

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Nightmare Frequency Past Week
Time Frame: up to 6 months followup
This fill-in-the-blank variable assesses the number of nights the individual experienced nightmares in the past week (range = 0 - 7 nights). Higher values indicate more nights with nightmares (worse outcome).
up to 6 months followup

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Tulsa

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Joanne L Davis, PhD, University of Tulsa

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

August 1, 2014

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 8, 2014

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 9, 2014

First Posted (Estimated)

September 10, 2014

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 23, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 21, 2023

Last Verified

August 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • TU1458R1

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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