RESEARCHERS from Canada's Dalhousie University, in collaboration with Monash University, have developed a direct-to-patient intervention aimed at reducing long-term sleeping pill use in older adults with insomnia.
Published in JAMA Psychiatry, the study involved 1,295 participants, divided into three groups, with two interventions: 'Sleepwell' and 'EMPOWER'.
The Sleepwell group saw the highest reduction in sleeping pill use, with 46.6% discontinuing or reducing their dose after six months, compared to 34.8% in the EMPOWER group.
The Sleepwell approach incorporated cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia through booklets and a website.
Lead author Prof David Gardner noted that most previous efforts targeted healthcare professionals, but this study focused on patients directly.
While co-author Dr Justin Turner emphasised the need for more evidence-based interventions to reduce sleeping pill use, given the serious risks associated with benzodiazepines in older adults.
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