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Self-directed CBT could help older people taper off strong sleep meds

Publicly released:
Australia; International; VIC
PHOTO: Quin Stevenson/Unsplash
PHOTO: Quin Stevenson/Unsplash

Researchers report promising results from a self-directed approach aimed to help older adults transition away from long-term benzodiazepine use for their insomnia. Benzodiazepines are sedatives that are linked to serious health issues and risks such as cognitive impairment, falls, and car crashes. Researchers found that a specific mail-in programme of booklets helping patients incorporate cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTI) had the highest success rate of people easing off their meds, compared to another similar programme that didn’t highlight CBTI or people simply following treatment as usual. The team says this could make for a scalable, sustainable, and equitable way to help people get a better night’s sleep.

Journal/
conference: JAMA Psychiatry
Research:Paper
Organisation/s: Monash University, Dalhousie University, Canada
Funder: The YAWNS NB study was jointly funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of New Brunswick as a Healthy Seniors Pilot Project (grant C0046).
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