Clinical Research Directory

Augmenting Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonist Deprescribing With Acupuncture and Yoga Among Older Adults

The main purpose of this 12-week study is to see if a new combination of treatments can help older adults reduce benzodiazepine or related medication use. The treatment combination consists of 1) medical provider visits to gradually reduce the medication dose over 12 weeks, 2) acupuncture treatments, and 3) private yoga classes. Participants will be offered weekly visits for 12 weeks to receive combined treatments. Participants will be provided surveys before, during, and after the study to learn about their experience of the treatments. At the end of the study, participants will be invited to participate in a focus group to learn about their experience in the study.

Deprescription of Antidepressants in Primary Care (DAPriCare)

Introduction The consumption of antidepressants has increased considerably worldwide, including in Spain. Despite their effectiveness in cases of moderate to severe depression, their long-term use in mild cases is questioned. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a deprescribing intervention in primary care, to reduce the unnecessary consumption of these drugs and improve patients' quality of life. Material and Methods A community-based clinical trial will be carried out before and after in an adult population of residents of an urban area of Cadiz (Spain) who have been prescribed antidepressants in the last year. Participants will be randomly selected and followed up for a predetermined period after consensus. The intervention will consist of a comprehensive evaluation of antidepressant treatment by a team of health professionals. Factors such as indication, dose, and response to treatment will be evaluated, and the Hamilton scale for anxiety and the Beck Inventory for depression will be used. In those cases where it is considered appropriate, a gradual reduction or suspension of the drug will be proposed, always under medical supervision. Conclusions This research will contribute to generating scientific evidence on the safety and efficacy of deprescribing in primary care, promoting a more rational use of antidepressants, and improving the quality of life of patients. The results obtained could have important implications for clinical practice and for the development of clinical practice guidelines.