Clinical Research Directory

Improving Patient Safety by Supporting Older Adults in Managing Sleep Problems.

Among older adults (≥65 years), use of sleeping pills, such as benzodiazepines and other sedative-hypnotics, to treat sleep problems is common. While sleeping pills are effective in the first few weeks of use, their effect diminishes significantly after that. Especially older adults are susceptible to significant adverse effects of sleep pills, yet stopping sleeping pills remains challenging. BE-SAFE aims to conduct a randomised study testing a patient-centred intervention to reduce sleeping pill use and to improve patient safety and quality of care focusing on implementation aspects. The intervention addresses knowledge and practice gaps related to discontinuation of sleeping pills in older adults with sleep problems.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Intervention on Benzodiazepine Use in the Population Over 64 Years Old in Primary Care

The objective of this pragmatic, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial is to determine whether an educational intervention regarding benzodiazepine use can reduce the consumption and/or dosage of these drugs in individuals over 64 years old. It aims to provide knowledge and skills to help participants tolerate or reduce discomfort, enabling them to begin decreasing or discontinuing benzodiazepine (BZD) use. The focus is on the effect of combined care, but the implementation of this approach is also assessed, providing valuable insights for further health developments in Primary Care. Researchers will compare a minimal intervention, consisting of sending a "Benzoletter" to each participant's mailing address, with an intensive intervention that additionally includes psychoeducational sessions and therapeutic exercises. Participants in the intervention group will attend sessions at the Primary Care Center for a total duration of eight weeks.