Correlation of task-related dream content with memory performance of a film task – A pilot study

Abstract

Dreams could reflect memory consolidation processes during sleep. The present pilot study examined whether the incorporation of a film sequence shows a relationship to task performance. Twenty-two participants (17 women, 5 men) were exposed to a late-night paradigm in which they were shown a film sequence prior to the second sleep-onset. REM dreams and morning dreams have been collected. Compared with those of a control group the incorporation of film elements in the study group dreams was only higher for morning dream reports on one of two scales. The incorporation rate in morning dreams correlated on one scale with increased memory task performance. Due to the consolidation of declarative tasks, mainly during NREM, and procedural tasks during REM sleep, dream reports should be collected in the respective sleep stage in which the learning task is consolidated.  Furthermore, tasks with high incorporation rates should be selected to show the relationship to task performance consistently.