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Promoting benzodiazepine cessation through an electronically-delivered patient self-management intervention
Michael A Cucciare1,2,3, Hildi J Hagedorn4,5, Mark Bounthavong6,7
1Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications
|September 16, 2022
Summary
This study tests an electronic intervention to help U.S. veterans stop taking benzodiazepines. The goal is to improve access and effectiveness for benzodiazepine cessation.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Trials
- Digital Health Interventions
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Long-term benzodiazepine use poses health risks, potentially mitigated by self-management interventions.
- A booklet-based intervention (EMPOWER) showed effectiveness in Canadian older adults.
- Digitizing and tailoring interventions can broaden reach and impact for benzodiazepine dependence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an electronically-delivered, direct-to-patient benzodiazepine cessation intervention.
- To tailor the EMPOWER intervention (EMPOWER-ED) for U.S. military veterans.
- To assess if digitization improves accessibility and effectiveness for benzodiazepine cessation.
Main Methods:
- A two-arm individually randomized controlled trial design.
- Participants: Primary care patients using benzodiazepines for ≥3 months with digital access.
- Intervention: Electronically-delivered EMPOWER (EMPOWER-ED) versus treatment-as-usual.
Main Results:
- Primary outcomes: Complete benzodiazepine cessation and 25% dose reduction at 6 months.
- Secondary outcomes: Anxiety, sleep quality, quality of life at 6 months; cessation at 12 months.
- Data collection via administrative records and self-report.
Conclusions:
- The study protocol aims to determine the efficacy of a digital benzodiazepine cessation program.
- Findings will inform the scalability of EMPOWER-ED for veteran populations.
- This trial investigates improved accessibility and effectiveness through digital health solutions.
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