Trial, Aug/22: Comparing methods to reduce benzo/Z-drug use

The full title of this Canadian randomized controlled trial is "A protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing Sleepwell, EMPOWER, and treatment-as-usual for benzodiazepine receptor agonist discontinuation in older adults: the your answers when needing sleep in New Brunswick (YAWNS NB) study".

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36045710/

Abstract

Background: Chronic benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA) use among older adults is a public health concern given cognitive and physical risks. One in four older adults in New Brunswick, Canada, is a long-term user of BZRAs. Previous studies using a direct-to-patient approach as the primary intervention target have shown promise in reducing BZRA use. The Your Answers When Needing Sleep in New Brunswick (YAWNS NB) study aims to reduce the long-term use of BZRAs in older adults and increase the use of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi), which is the recommended first line treatment.

Methods: The trial (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT04406103) is a three arm, open-label, parallel randomized controlled trial in NB, Canada. Eligible participants 65 years and older using BZRAs long-term will be randomly allocated to: the Eliminating Medications through Patient Ownership of End Results (EMPOWER) information package group; the Sleepwell information package group; or treatment-as-usual (TAU). Information packages will be mailed via Canada Post. The primary outcome of BZRA discontinuation at 6 months will be compared across groups. Secondary outcomes include participants with ≥25% BZRA dose reduction, and switching to newly prescribed alternate sedative-hypnotics. Several exploratory outcomes will also be examined.

Discussion: Targeting participants with information packages informing them of appropriate use, dangers, and approaches to reducing BZRA use and increasing CBTi use may be beneficial in a region of Canada with the highest rate of chronic BZRA use in older adults. Comparing information packages and TAU will provide insights into the effectiveness of direct-to-patient interventions for BZRA reduction.

Full Paper:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9420952/

Thank you very much for posting Lapis! I'm a long time benzo buddies return member and I've been enjoying your paper's search about everything related to benzos.

Thanks very much for you efforts!

Mice

Thank you very much for posting Lapis! I'm a long time benzo buddies return member and I've been enjoying your paper's search about everything related to benzos.

Thanks very much for you efforts!

Mice

My pleasure, Mice! I'm happy to share info that might be of interest to others around here. I remember a BB saying that "no one is studying benzodiazepines", and I couldn't disagree more. There's a ton of research being on all  sorts of topics related to benzo use. It might not be the kind that we want them to do, though.