NightWare and Cardiovascular Health in Adults With PTSD

Who can take part

• Diagnosis of PTSD via American Psychiatric Association PTSD diagnostic criteria in the fifth edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
• Self-report having repetitive nightmares contributing to disrupted sleep
• age >22 years (rationale is because the device has only been used in adults in 22 years and older)
• resting blood pressure (BP, <160/100 mmHg)
• fasted glucose <126 mg/d
• non-smokers
• no use of vitamin supplements or anti-inflammatory medications, or willing to stop 1 month prior to the vascular visit
• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score 6 or higher
• Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS): Question #8 score above "0" will prompt an additional question: Does individual drive ("get behind the wheel") when they are drowsy? The answer must be "No" to be enrolled in the study due to safety concerns
• Wireless Internet and two power outlets where they sleep
• Willingness not to use any other application which collects heart rate data on the phone and watch that is used for NightWare

Who cannot take part

• current use (or within previous 6 months) of hormone therapy in postmenopausal women
• Prazosin use; however, participant may be included if tapered by prescribing provider. Taper must be completed and individual must be off prazosin for 2 days prior to enrollment
• Acting out of dreams prior to PTSD trauma; 17) Diagnosis or suspicion of dementia
• uncontrolled hypertension
• current or preexisting CVD or cancers (with the exception of past skin cancers) or active infection
• diabetes
• current substance (including marijuana) or alcohol use disorder (past 12 months) per the SCID-5 (see methods of Research Strategy). Adults with past substance or alcohol use disorders will be allowed to participate
• thyroid dysfunction, defined as an ultrasensitive TSH <0.5 or >5.0 mU/L; volunteers with abnormal TSH values will be re-considered for participation in the study after follow-up evaluation by the PCP with initiation or adjustment of thyroid hormone replacement; or other problems that would interfere with participation in the study
• pregnancy or currently breast feeding
• Participants will be excluded if they report elevated acute risk for suicidal self-directed violence warranting immediate intervention (e.g., suicidal ideation with intent, evaluated by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale [C-SSRS])
• Current use of varenicline, beta-blockers (unless ophthalmic solutions), or non-dihydropyridines
• Shift workers (due to circadian rhythm disruption)
• Moderate or Severe obstructive sleep apnea (either diagnosed or determined during screening with the WatchPat [AHI≥15]
• Diagnosis of narcolepsy
• Known sleepwalking