The use of a kymograph in a comparative trial of flunitrazepam and meprobamate in elderly patients

A double-blind crossover trial was carried out in 31 hospitalized elderly patients receiving night-time sedation to compare the effects of flunitrazepam (0.5 mg) and meprobamate (200 mg). After 1 week on placebo, patients received 1-week's treatment with each drug in random order. Quality of sleep was assessed by a nurse at hourly intervals over 8 hours each night. In 11 patients, the results were compared with those from kymographic recordings measuring patient restlessness (motility index). No statistically significant difference was found between the two active drug treatments, and there was a close correlation between the two methods of assessment. It is suggested that the kymograph may well be a useful and economic method of evaluating the effectiveness of hypnotics.