Improving Cardiovascular Health in Veterans With PTSD by Treating Trauma-Related Nightmares With NightWare
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
The purpose of this study is to learn more about the effectiveness of a prescription wrist-wearable device called NightWare (NW) on improving sleep in Veterans with nightmares related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The investigators also want to learn whether it improves cardiovascular health among this population.
Description
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with profound health consequences in Veterans, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in adults in the United States. Trauma-related nightmares, a hallmark of PTSD, are a debilitating symptom that can lead to poor sleep quality and other health issues that ultimately cause clinically significant impairments in daily functioning. Recently, nightmares were reported to be an independent predictor of CVD in Veterans, for reasons that are unclear. Poor sleep is associated with increased CVD risk, possibly by impairing va…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 22–88 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of PTSD via American Psychiatric Association PTSD diagnostic criteria in the fifth edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). 2. Self-report having repetitive nightmares contributing to disrupted sleep; 3. Age 22 years (rationale is because the device has only been used in adults in 22 years and older); 4. Resting blood pressure (BP, \<160/100 mmHg); 5. Fasted glucose \<126 mg/dL; 6. Poor overall sleep quality as indicated by a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score 6 or higher; 7. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS): Questio…
Interventions
- DeviceNightWare
Nightware intervention app (enabled) will attempt to detect when an individual is having a nightmare based on a Nightware proprietary algorithm and attempt to disrupt the nightmare without awakening. In the sham comparator group the NightWare app will be disabled and not deliver an intervention.
Location
- Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, COAurora, Colorado