Does Sleep Reduce Intrusive Memories After Analogue Trauma? Recent Findings of Experimental Sleep Manipulations Using the Trauma Film Paradigm

Intrusive memories are common in the aftermath of trauma, and these can develop into a pervasive, distressing symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sleep disturbances have been shown to contribute to later development and maintenance of overall PTSD symptoms, including intrusive memories of trauma. This paper summarises recent research examining the role of sleep in the development of trauma-related intrusive memories.

There have been initial conflicting results across a small number of studies, namely, whether sleep following experimental analogue trauma results in increased or decreased frequency of later intrusive memories. However, the results of three recent meta-analyses suggest a beneficial effect of sleep early after analogue trauma exposure.

The relationship between sleep following analogue trauma and reduction in intrusive memory frequency may be due to the role of sleep in the consolidation and integration of traumatic memories into existing autobiographical knowledge. More research is needed to investigate the mechanism of action for this relationship.