A systematic review of new empirical data on lucid dream induction techniques.

Lucid dreams are dreams where the dreamer knows they are dreaming. A review of 19 peer-reviewed studies from the past decade identified 14 lucid dream induction techniques. The mnemonic induction of lucid dreams technique was the most effective. Two newer techniques—the senses-initiated lucid dream technique and galantamine intervention—also show promise but require further replication. The overall methodological quality of the studies was higher than in a previous review: 17 studies had moderate quality, and only three had poor quality. The review also proposes a modified classification for induction techniques: cognitive techniques, external stimulation, substance intervention, and cortical stimulation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Lucid dreams are defined as dreams in which the dreamers are aware of the fact that they are dreaming as dreams continue. It has been ~12 years since the last review of the efficiency of lucid dream induction techniques was conducted. Hence, the present study aimed to review the lucid dream induction techniques published in the past decade. The second aim was to propose a modified classification for the existing lucid dream induction techniques, including cognitive techniques, external stimulation, substance intervention, and cortical stimulation. The third aim was to assess the methodological quality of the studies included in the review. It was hypothesised that, comparing with the studies included in the last review, the studies included in the present review had better overall methodological quality. A total of 19 peer-reviewed studies were included and analysed in the present review, from which 14 lucid dream induction techniques were identified. The results indicated that the mnemonic induction of lucid dream technique was the most effective for inducing lucid dreams. Moreover, two new techniques, the senses-initiated lucid dream technique and galantamine intervention, might also be competitive candidates for lucid dream induction but further replications are needed. As hypothesised, the overall methodological quality of the studies included in the present review was higher than that of the studies included the previous review. In all, 17 studies had moderate methodological quality, whereas only three studies had poor methodological quality.