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

Purpose

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.

Conditions

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Benzodiazepine
  • Deprescription

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 65 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • 65 years and older - Taking benzodiazepines or related medications (i.e. zolpidem, zopiclone, eszopiclone, zaleplon) at least 4 times in the last month - English speaking - Ability to understand study procedures and to comply with them for the length of the study

Exclusion Criteria

  • Cognitive impairment - Drinking more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day - Substance abuse disorder - Uncontrolled psychiatric disorder, such as major depression or psychosis - Inability or unwillingness of individual or legal guardian.representative to give written informed consent.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Feasibility, Adherence and Acceptability Measure
Assay of feasibility of study enrollment and feasibility of study treatments, the latter of which is measured via fidelity, adherence, and acceptability of/to treatments and interventions. Interventions administered for 12 weeks. Fidelity, adherence, and acceptability will be measured via patient survey and engagement.
  • Other: Acupuncture
    Patients will receive acupuncture for 12 weeks.
  • Other: Yoga
    Patients will receive yoga therapy with one of three yoga instructors. Patients will remain with singular yoga instructor for duration of study. It is anticipated that patients will participate in yoga therapy for 12 weeks at home and in-clinic.
  • Other: Deprescribing
    Deprescribing of patients' benzodiazepine use will be monitored by psychiatric nurse. Tapering method will be followed for medication deprescription.

Recruiting Locations

Osher Center for Integrative Health at Vanderbilt
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Contact:
Ana Bencomo Estevez
615-586-1310
ana.bencomo.estevez@vumc.org

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Study Contact

Ana Bencomo Estevez
(615)5861310
ana.bencomo.estevez@vumc.org

Detailed Description

This study consists of a single-arm clinical study among 30 older adults taking benzodiazepine receptor antagonists (BRZA) to assess the feasibility of protocol-driven BRZA deprescribing augmented with combined acupuncture and yoga. Adults 65 years or older that are taking BRZA will be recruited. Deprescribing will be provided at weekly visits with a psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Participants will receive acupuncture and yoga from a staff acupuncturist and yoga instruction from a yoga instructor at the Osher Center. Feasibility of study enrollment will occur through the study enrollment period. Feasibility of study treatments will be evaluated during and after study treatment delivery. Feasibility of study outcome assessments will occur at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Throughout the research process, investigators will engage a Stakeholder Advisory Panel consisting of patients and clinicians.