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Effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on heart rate variability during REM sleep in female rape victims with PTSD
Author(s) -
Nishith Pallavi,
Duntley Stephen P.,
Domitrovich Peter P.,
Uhles Matthew L.,
Cook Brenda J.,
Stein Phyllis K.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1023/a:1023791906879
Subject(s) - heart rate variability , sleep (system call) , psychology , posttraumatic stress , heart rate , cognition , rapid eye movement sleep , cognitive behavioral therapy , sleep disorder , medicine , clinical psychology , psychiatry , electroencephalography , computer science , blood pressure , operating system
Six female rape victims with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were assessed for sleep disturbances. Five responded to cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) and one did not complete treatment. Sympatho‐vagal balance was measured using heart rate variability (HRV) during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The treatment responders significantly decreased on HRV while the noncompleter increased. The responders also significantly decreased on sleep disturbances. The noncompleter remained unchanged. Thus a remission in PTSD symptoms following CBT accompanied a reduction in the HRV indicator of sympathetic predominance in REM sleep.