Ignite Creation Date:
2026-03-26 @ 3:16 PM
Ignite Modification Date:
2026-03-30 @ 12:17 AM
Study NCT ID:
NCT07474532
Status:
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Last Update Posted:
2026-03-16
First Post:
2026-03-06
Is NOT Gene Therapy:
True
Has Adverse Events:
False
Brief Title:
Attitudes and Beliefs Related to Benzodiazepine Deprescribing
Sponsor:
Hospices Civils de Lyon
Organization:
Study Overview
Official Title:
Impact of Providing Educational Information Material in Routine Care on Attitudes and Beliefs Related to Benzodiazepine Deprescribing
Status:
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Status Verified Date:
2026-03
Last Known Status:
None
Delayed Posting:
No
If Stopped, Why?:
Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access:
False
If Expanded Access, NCT#:
N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status:
N/A
Acronym:
BENZ-AC
Brief Summary:
The use of benzodiazepines in older adults is associated with an increased risk of adverse effects due to age-related physiological changes. Several studies have reported a higher risk of falls and fractures, with a significant impact on quality of life, morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
Benzodiazepines may also cause cognitive impairment, including reduced alertness, memory deficits, and impaired psychomotor function, increasing the risk of confusion and delirium, particularly in hospital settings. These effects can further compromise quality of life and functional independence in older patients.
Chronic use also exposes patients to physical and psychological dependence, with potential withdrawal symptoms when the dose is reduced or the treatment discontinued. This contributes to the difficulty of implementing deprescribing in this population. Deprescribing is defined as a planned and supervised process aimed at reducing or stopping a medication when its risks outweigh The use of benzodiazepines in older adults is associated with an increased risk of adverse effects due to age-related physiological changes. Several studies have reported a higher risk of falls and fractures, with a significant impact on quality of life, morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
Benzodiazepines may also cause cognitive impairment, including reduced alertness, memory deficits, and impaired psychomotor function, increasing the risk of confusion and delirium, particularly in hospital settings. These effects can further compromise quality of life and functional independence in older patients.
Chronic use also exposes patients to physical and psychological dependence, with potential withdrawal symptoms when the dose is reduced or the treatment discontinued. This contributes to the difficulty of implementing deprescribing in this population. Deprescribing is defined as a planned and supervised process aimed at reducing or stopping a medication when its risks outweigh its potential benefits, through an individualized, patient-centered approach.
Health authorities therefore recommend limiting benzodiazepine use to short durations, regularly reassessing treatment appropriateness, and implementing gradual, supervised tapering whenever possible. Nevertheless, despite these recommendations, benzodiazepine use remains high among older adults, with treatment durations often exceeding recommended timeframes despite an unfavorable benefit-risk balance. Data from national databases, including the French National Health Data System (SNDS), confirm that consumption remains substantial despite existing guidelines.
In this context, deprescribing represents a key strategy. However, implementing deprescribing in clinical practice remains complex. Several studies have shown that attachment to the medication, fear of rebound anxiety or recurrence of insomnia, and concern about withdrawal symptoms are major cognitive and emotional barriers to discontinuation, both for healthcare professionals and for patients.
These barriers highlight the importance of better understanding patients' attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions regarding their treatment. The revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing questionnaire specific to benzodiazepines (rPATD Benzo) is a validated tool, available in French, that assesses these dimensions, including treatment attachment and willingness to reduce or stop medication.
In our geriatric institution, an educational information leaflet (the EMPOWER brochure ) is routinely provided to patients treated with benzodiazepines or related drugs. This validated tool is intended to open discussion about benzodiazepine use during hospitalization, should patients wish to engage. Several studies have shown that access to structured, tailored educational information is a key determinant of deprescribing acceptability and can significantly influence older patients' attitudes toward discontinuing benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines may also cause cognitive impairment, including reduced alertness, memory deficits, and impaired psychomotor function, increasing the risk of confusion and delirium, particularly in hospital settings. These effects can further compromise quality of life and functional independence in older patients.
Chronic use also exposes patients to physical and psychological dependence, with potential withdrawal symptoms when the dose is reduced or the treatment discontinued. This contributes to the difficulty of implementing deprescribing in this population. Deprescribing is defined as a planned and supervised process aimed at reducing or stopping a medication when its risks outweigh The use of benzodiazepines in older adults is associated with an increased risk of adverse effects due to age-related physiological changes. Several studies have reported a higher risk of falls and fractures, with a significant impact on quality of life, morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
Benzodiazepines may also cause cognitive impairment, including reduced alertness, memory deficits, and impaired psychomotor function, increasing the risk of confusion and delirium, particularly in hospital settings. These effects can further compromise quality of life and functional independence in older patients.
Chronic use also exposes patients to physical and psychological dependence, with potential withdrawal symptoms when the dose is reduced or the treatment discontinued. This contributes to the difficulty of implementing deprescribing in this population. Deprescribing is defined as a planned and supervised process aimed at reducing or stopping a medication when its risks outweigh its potential benefits, through an individualized, patient-centered approach.
Health authorities therefore recommend limiting benzodiazepine use to short durations, regularly reassessing treatment appropriateness, and implementing gradual, supervised tapering whenever possible. Nevertheless, despite these recommendations, benzodiazepine use remains high among older adults, with treatment durations often exceeding recommended timeframes despite an unfavorable benefit-risk balance. Data from national databases, including the French National Health Data System (SNDS), confirm that consumption remains substantial despite existing guidelines.
In this context, deprescribing represents a key strategy. However, implementing deprescribing in clinical practice remains complex. Several studies have shown that attachment to the medication, fear of rebound anxiety or recurrence of insomnia, and concern about withdrawal symptoms are major cognitive and emotional barriers to discontinuation, both for healthcare professionals and for patients.
These barriers highlight the importance of better understanding patients' attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions regarding their treatment. The revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing questionnaire specific to benzodiazepines (rPATD Benzo) is a validated tool, available in French, that assesses these dimensions, including treatment attachment and willingness to reduce or stop medication.
In our geriatric institution, an educational information leaflet (the EMPOWER brochure ) is routinely provided to patients treated with benzodiazepines or related drugs. This validated tool is intended to open discussion about benzodiazepine use during hospitalization, should patients wish to engage. Several studies have shown that access to structured, tailored educational information is a key determinant of deprescribing acceptability and can significantly influence older patients' attitudes toward discontinuing benzodiazepines.
Detailed Description:
None
Study Oversight
Has Oversight DMC:
False
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
False
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
False
Is an Unapproved Device?:
None
Is a PPSD?:
None
Is a US Export?:
None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?: