1068 - DREAM PATTERN IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATION FROM THE STEP IN AMI TRIAL

Session: D16S004 - Counseling Psychology, Well-being and Mental Health 2
AUTHORS:
De Angelis Rosanna (International Ontopsychology Association ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Palumbo Gabriella (International Ontopsychology Association ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Roncella Adriana (International Ontopsychology Association ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Pasceri Vincenzo (San Filippo Neri hospital ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Pristipino Christian (San Filippo Neri hospital ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Pelliccia Francesco (Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Allan Robert (New York-Presbyterian Hospital ~ New York ~ United States of America) , Speciale Giulio (San Filippo Neri hospital ~ Rome ~ Italy)
Abstract text:
Background: Sleep influences biological functions and has been linked to cardiac and other major cardiovascular events. Dreams represent an important element of sleep phases.  Historically, the clinical significance of dreams has been examined in psychoanalysis, analytical psychology, gestalt therapy, and more recently by other psychotherapy approaches. However, studies on dream organization and structure before and after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are lacking. 


Aim: To investigate dreams before and after AMI using a novel approach by the ontopshychological school. 


Methods: We retrospectively examined dream patterns before and after AMI within STEP-IN AMI (Short TErm Psychotherapy IN Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial and assessed whether these patterns changed during a
short-term psychotherapy (STP). We categorized dream symbols as positive or negative according to the ontopsychological dream handbook (Meneghetti 2012). 


Results: 47 patients (age 31-70 years; mean 54.89) were analyzed. Dream recall increased from 25/47 (53%) at baseline to 43/47 (91%) during psychotherapy (p< 0.0001). Recurrent distressing dreams — characterized by anguish or despair, a sense of being unable to complete an action, or grief over one's mother's early death—were reported by 16/47 subjects (34%) in the year preceding AMI. By the third psychotherapeutic session, no subjects reported recurrent dreams (p< 0.001). In the year before AMI, among 25 reported oneiric symbols, 12 referred to acquaintances who had died of cardiac disease and 9 referred to accidents, danger, nightmares, or other distressing themes. Overall, 21/25 dream symbols (84%) suggested a threat to life. Incidence of "negative" symbols declined during psychotherapy from 84% pre-therapy to 32% during the first three sessions and to 9% in the final phase (p< 0.0001).


Conclusions: Cessation of recurrent distressing dreams, and marked reduction in negative symbols during psychotherapy suggest that STP acts as a positive stimulus for inner change. Study results and the symbol content analysis method will be discussed.