Psychosocial intervention for discontinuing benzodiazepine hypnotics in patients with chronic insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Summary Long-term benzodiazepine (BZD) use is not recommended in the treatment of chronic insomnia, and psychosocial interventions, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), are a potential treatment option for discontinuing BZDs. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify whether psychosocial interventions are effective for discontinuing BZD hypnotics in patients with chronic insomnia. A literature search of major electronic databases was conducted up to July 2018. Two researchers independently selected relevant publications, extracted data, and evaluated methodological quality according to the Cochrane criteria. Eight randomized-controlled trials, all of which evaluated CBT-I, were included in this review, and meta-analyses were performed. The results indicated that short-term (≤3 mo) CBT-I plus gradual tapering was more effective than gradual tapering alone for discontinuing BZDs hypnotics (risk ratio: 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–2.39, p = 0.003) and for improving insomnia symptoms (g: −0.69, 95% CI: −1.09 – −0.28, p = 0.0009). However, the long-term (12 mo) efficacy of CBT-I for discontinuing BZDs was not significant (risk ratio: 1.67, 95% CI: 0.91–3.07, p = 0.10). Thus, CBT-I is effective for discontinuing BZD hypnotics for ≤3 mo. Further studies are needed to clarify the long-term efficacy of psychosocial interventions for discontinuing BZD hypnotics.