Sleep-Directed Hypnosis Improves Subjective Sleep Quality but not Extinction Memory After Exposure to Analog Trauma

Abstract Background Evidence-based treatments of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) aim to promote fear extinction learning. Post-learning sleep, particularly slow wave sleep (SWS), promotes memory consolidation and recall. Thus, boosting SWS might strengthen The current study investigated whether sleep-directed hypnosis designed increase quality improves recall reduces analog PTSD symptoms. Method In two subsamples (remote/laboratory), 211 healthy individuals underwent conditioning with a traumatic film clip. On the next evening, they training. Thereafter, experimental group received hypnosis, whereas control listened text. Extinction generalization film-related intrusions rumination were assessed on following morning. Results Subjective declined exposure an aversive film. No differences found in though exploratory analyses indicated less rapid eye movement after hypnosis. After reported improved quality, showed further deterioration. Hypnosis had no effects retention nor rumination. Conclusion results indicate that may be beneficial for improving subjective trauma but not enhancing reducing