# Pilot studies of complementary and integrative health approaches to support benzodiazepine deprescribing in older adults with the US Deprescribing Research Network

> **NIH NIH R24** · NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE/RES/EDU · 2022 · $900,400

## Abstract

Abstract
This application is being submitted in response to the Notice of Special Interest identified as NOT-AT-22-012.
Benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs), which include benzodiazepines as well as newer non-
benzodiazepine, benzodiazepine receptor agonists such as zolpidem, are a major source of problematic
prescribing for older adults. This is highly concerning, as both benzodiazepines and other benzodiazepine
receptor agonists confer substantial harms including increased risk of falls, fractures, cognitive impairment, and
motor vehicle accidents. Yet, the continued high rate of use of these medications is not surprising given the high
prevalence of insomnia and anxiety among older adults and the physiological and psychological dependence
which often makes stopping these medications difficult once they have been started. While a number of
interventions have demonstrated promise to support deprescribing of BZRAs, the failure of these to gain traction
in changing population-level use of BZRAs calls for new approaches to this vexing problem. A promising focus
for such efforts is in complementary and integrative health (CIH). Engaging older adults to be active participants
in changing their medications and to have self-efficacy in these efforts are vital components of strategies to
reduce overuse of BZRAs. Many CIH modalities engage these psychological processes and/or are well-suited to
complement them. Moreover, widespread interest in CIH among older adults creates fertile ground for
widespread adoption of CIH modalities that are proven to be effective. The goal of this proposal is thus to select,
fund, and support highly promising pilot studies that hold major potential to lead to large clinical trials
investigating CIH interventions that promote deprescribing of BZRAs in older adults. To achieve this goal, we will
adapt existing infrastructure of the US Deprescribing Research Network. This infrastructure and related
processes involve not only selecting and funding awards, but providing ongoing support and guidance about
research design, implementation, and engaging stakeholders to give pilot awardees the best chance of
succeeding in their work and using it as a springboard for larger, definitive studies. We have 2 aims. Aim 1 is to
identify and provide pilot funding for highly meritorious proposals that provide the groundwork for future clinical
trials that use complementary and integrative health strategies to support deprescribing of benzodiazepine
receptor agonists in older adults. Aim 2 is to provide skills and supports to pilot awardees that will enhance their
ability to successfully apply for and conduct future large clinical trials in this area. These aims are highly
complementary to the goals of the parent grant, which seeks to enhance the quality and quantity of research
being conducted on deprescribing for older adults. This administrative supplement proposal offers an exciting
opportunity to expand on the existing work of the US...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10611102
- **Project number:** 3R24AG064025-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE/RES/EDU
- **Principal Investigator:** CYNTHIA Melinda BOYD
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $900,400
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-08-15 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10611102

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10611102, Pilot studies of complementary and integrative health approaches to support benzodiazepine deprescribing in older adults with the US Deprescribing Research Network (3R24AG064025-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10611102. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*