A pilot study tested lucid dreaming treatment (LDT) for chronic nightmares. Twenty-three nightmare sufferers were randomly assigned to an individual LDT session, a group LDT session, or a waiting list. Twelve weeks later, nightmare frequency decreased in both treatment groups. Sleep quality and posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity showed no significant changes. Becoming lucid during nightmares was not necessary for the reduction in nightmare frequency. The key therapeutic component—exposure, mastery, or lucidity—remains unclear.
A series of eight participants received a one-hour lucid dreaming treatment session for nightmares, including exercises and discussion of constructive solutions. Two months later, nightmare frequency decreased and sleep quality slightly improved, but there were no changes in state or trait anxiety. The treatment appears effective for reducing nightmare frequency, though the specific mechanism remains unclear.