Behavior Change Intervention Via Mail Cuts Use of Sleep Medications in Older Adults
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Sept. 20, 2024 -- A mailed knowledge mobilization and behavior change intervention can reduce the use of sedatives and improve sleep outcomes in older adults with insomnia, according to a study published online Sept. 18 in JAMA Psychiatry.
David M. Gardner, Pharm.D., from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and colleagues compared two direct-to-patient behavior change interventions versus treatment as usual (TAU) on benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA) use, sleep, and other health outcomes. The analysis included 565 adults aged 65 years and older living independently with long-term use of BZRAs and a current or past insomnia diagnosis randomly assigned to one of two different mailed behavior change interventions or TAU.
The researchers found that BZRA discontinuations and dose reductions of ≥25 percent were highest with the Your Answers When Needing Sleep 1 booklets (YAWNS-1; 26.2 and 20.4 percent, respectively), compared with YAWNS-2 (20.3 and 14.4 percent, respectively) and TAU (7.5 and 12.8 percent, respectively). There was also better uptake of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) techniques and sleep outcomes with YAWNS-1 versus YAWNS-2 (new CBTI techniques, 3.1 versus 2.4; sleep efficiency change, 4.1 versus −1.7 percent) as well as reduced insomnia severity and daytime sleepiness compared with TAU (insomnia severity index change, −2.0 versus 0.3; Epworth Sleepiness Scale change, −0.8 versus 0.3).
"Transitioning insomnia care for older adults away from long-term sedative use and toward cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can be achieved using a mailed, direct-to-patient approach," the authors write.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted September 2024
Read this next
Adults With Hearing Loss Using Hearing Aids Have Reduced Dementia Risk
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 20, 2025 -- Adults with hearing loss (HL) with hearing aids have a reduced risk for dementia, according to a research letter published online Aug. 18 in JAMA...
Cognitive Impairment, Work Productivity Loss Linked in Bipolar Disorder
MONDAY, Aug. 18, 2025 -- There is a weak correlation between change in cognitive impairment and change in work productivity loss in adults with bipolar disorder, according to a...
Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Implantation Safe for OSA in Children With Down Syndrome
FRIDAY, Aug. 15, 2025 -- For children aged younger than 13 years with Down syndrome (DS) and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypoglossal nerve stimulator (HGNS) implantation...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.