Sleep or augmented REM-related electromyogram (EMG) activity should prompt a thorough evaluation for PTSD and dream enactment in combat veterans, according to researchers from Baylor University in Houston.
The team reviewed the histories of 23 veterans, 12 with PTSD and 11 without PTSD, who were referred to a sleep center for polysomnographic studies.
Of the veterans who had PTSD, 10 reported dream enactments compared with none of the veterans without PTSD. Dream enactments were tied to phasic electromyogram augmentation during rapid eye movement (REM).
The research was presented at CHEST 2011.
