The Science Behind
Our work is grounded in state-of-the-art research. Our solution is to provide a scientifically validated therapy as an easy-access self-help therapy app.
3 Facts about Nightmares
Around 5% of people worldwide suffer from severe nightmares.
Nightmares can disrupt sleep and affect mental well-being.
Common causes: all kinds of stress (induced by trauma, anxiety disorders, medication, media or just daily life).
Effective Treatment Approaches
Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT): Rewriting and visualizing a positive version of the nightmare. Proven effective in multiple scientific studies.
Psychotherapy: recommended for severe cases.
Relaxation Techniques: Mindfulness, Yoga, Progressive muscle relaxation, Deep breathing (helpful but not always sufficient)
A personalized approach ensures effective treatment.
The Use of LLMs in Mental Health Applications
Large Language Models (LLMs) significantly enhance accessibility and support in mental health by providing 24/7 availability.
Chatbots offer low-threshold, instant support, resources such as stress management techniques, guidance or reminders, and support for symptom tracking and journaling prompts.
LLMs do not replace human therapists but serve as empowering support tools.
Our Approach
Transparency first: Clear communication about AI’s capabilities and limitations.
Integration with professional care for safe and effective support.
Benefits of our LLM: trained to IRT, XY, Z. Creative support for rewriting the nightmare. Guidance through the therapy steps, including reminders, visualization help, etc.
In the next step, we will test and improve…
Related Research
LLMs-Healthcare: Current applications and
challenges of large language models in various
medical specialties
Latest advances in the use of large language models (LLMs) in healthcare: LLMs have impact in various medical fields in diagnostics and treatment, particularly in cancer care, dermatology, dentistry, neurodegenerative disease care and mental health.
The Effects of an Internet-Based Imagery Rehearsal Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This is the study that brought us to the idea to create reDream.ai. In this study, Annika Gieselmann and Max Böckermann tested an online self-help tool for treating nightmares using Imagery Rehearsal Therapy. The online program was helpful, thus Internet-based IRT seems to be an effective treatment.
Long-term effectiveness of cognitive–behavioural self-help intervention for nightmares
In this study, Jaap Lancee and collegues tested two self-help techniques, imagery rehearsal therapy and exposure therapy. Both were recently shown to help in the short term. This study looks at the long-term effects of these methods. The benefits of the treatments lasted even after 42 weeks, with no big difference between the two methods.
Conquering nightmares on the phone: one-session counseling using imagery rehearsal therapy
Here, we tested the effectiveness of a single-session, telephone-based Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) for treating nightmares. Participants showed significant reductions in nightmare frequency and distress. A brief intervention can provide significant relief, offering a low-threshold treatment option for individuals with nightmares.
Consensus Paper:
Aetiology and treatment of nightmare disorder: State of the art
and future perspectives
This consensus paper reviews the causes and treatments of nightmare disorder, highlighting future research directions, including the use of Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT). It explains the interaction of hyperarousal and impaired fear extinction in chronic nightmares, with treatment focusing on nightmare meaning, repetition, and maladaptive beliefs, while emphasizing the need for improved clinical knowledge and evidence-based interventions.
Nightmare Treatment in PTSD:
Researchers are currently investigating whether it is best to start with IRT in PTSD patients. Following effective IRT treatment, key PTSD symptoms may already be normalized. Remaining symptoms could be addressed with trauma-focused Cogntive behavioral therapy other evidence-based approaches, potentially requiring fewer sessions. Starting with IRT might motivate patients and reduce adverse effects associated with longer, more distressing trauma-focused treatments. Ongoing trials are investigating nightmares as a first-line intervention for PTSD and its impact on suicidal ideation.
Currently, there are no treatment algorithms, stepped-care recommendations, or sufficient evidence to decide whether IRT or CBT should be the initial treatment. Future studies are needed to establish the optimal timing and choice of IRT within PTSD treatment regimens.
Nightmare Treatment in Children
The scriptwriting exercise also works for children, as shown in several studies. In 2009, Mélanie St. Onge conducted this exercise with two groups of children. The first group rewrote their nightmares into new stories and imagined these solutions daily for two weeks. The second group, on a waiting list, received no guidance. The exercise significantly reduced nightmares, with long-lasting effects: nine months later, the research team found the nightmares had not returned.