Dream content and sleep changes in women after mastectomy

• Published in: Journal of clinical oncology Vol. 30; no. 15_suppl; p. e11524
• Main Authors: Cicolin, Alessandro, Airoldi, Mario, Giordano, Alessandra, Francese, Valentina, Peila, Elena, Tribolo, Antonella, Pedani, Fulvia, Torta, Riccardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 20.05.2012
• ISSN: 0732-183X; 1527-7755
• DOI: 10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.e11524

Abstract only e11524 Background: The concerns people express in their dreams are the concerns they have in waking life (Domhoff – Dreaming 11: 13-33; 2001) . In this abstract we report in breast cancer patients (BCP) the dream content, sleep quality and quantity , and their mood both before and after mastectomy (M), to determine whether a loss of a body part could change body schema and actuate a sexual sphere restructuring. Methods: Consecutive menopausal BCP without impaired cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24), without psychiatric and/or sleep disorders, not assuming drug that could affect REM sleep and waiting for M were enrolled. Pts were evaluated at T0 (7-10 days before M) and at T1 (3 months after M) with: 1) Dream Report Form (DRF – Domhoff , 1996) in which pts describe 5 recent dreams; 2) Dream Remind Questionnaire (DRQ) to obtain explicit content of dreams; 3) Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); 4) State Trait Anxiety Inventory , Form Y(STAI-Y). Results: Thirty pts were eligible: 15 pts dropped out (withdrew consent between T0 and T1); 15 pts completed the study (mean age = 51 yrs , range 45-66 yrs; education = 10 +/- 4 yrs). After M the total sleep time was significantly increased ( p<.05) ; sleep quality was unchanged .STAI and BDI were not significantly different. . At T1 we found a statistically significant increase in stated presence of wise self, determined self, curiosity, anger and shame. Excitement was reduced in T1.At T1 there is a reduction of violent and erotic environments, frightened-self perceptions, and repulsions, along with a slight increase of loved and powerful self-perception. In T1 dreams we found an increased presence of males and family characters, the proportion of dead people, striving elements with failure, a decreased presence of friends and aggressiveness. Torso-anatomy was significantly different in T1. Conclusions: Our results confirm a continuity between dreams and waking life. Dream content modifications are specifically related to body image.