Study of a Brief Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Long-Term Use of Sleep Medication in People Age 60 and Older

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of a brief behavioral intervention delivered by trained general practitioners GPs to reduce the prolonged use of Z-hypnotic sleep medications among elderly patients in primary care. This randomized controlled trial compares this intervention to usual care provided by GPs without the specific training. The study focuses on elderly patients with harmful use of hypnotics, aiming to improve medication use and related outcomes. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups an active group where GPs provide a short, structured behavioral intervention aimed at reducing inappropriate Z-hypnotics use, and a control group receiving usual care from GPs without this training. The controlled masked phase lasts 6 months, followed by an open single crossover where the control groups GPs receive the intervention training. Treatment effects are evaluated primarily 6 weeks after the intervention, with additional follow-ups at 6 and 12 months. During the study, assessments include self-reported medication use, automatic sleep monitoring using actigraphy, cognitive function tests, pain scales, and sleep experience questionnaires. Baseline assessments focus on self-reports and actigraphy to minimize assessment effects. Follow-ups occur in person and by telephone, with blinded evaluators. The main outcome measured is inappropriate Z-hypnotics use 6 weeks after the intervention, with longer-term monitoring up to 12 months to assess lasting impacts.

Brief Intervention for Sleep Medication Misuse Among Elderly