Relaxation to assist sleep medication withdrawal

This study explores the usefulness of relaxation and gradual medication wit hdrawal in weaning insomniacs from sleep (hypnotic) medication. We recruite d 40 volunteers from the community who had insomnia, half of whom were chro nic users of hypnotics while the other half were nonmedicated. Half of all participants (10 medicated and 10 nonmedicated) received progressive relaxa tion. All medicated participants received a standard gradual drug withdrawa l program. Medicated participants reduced sleep medication consumption by n early 80%. Participants who received relaxation obtained additional benefit s in sleep efficiency, rated quality of sleep, and reduced withdrawal sympt oms. Medicated and nonmedicated participants attained comparable, improved sleep by posttreatment and follow-up. Hypnotic withdrawal was accompanied b y serious worsening of insomnia, but this dissipated by the end of the with drawal period. The psychological treatment of hypnotic-dependent insomnia h as high potential for making an important clinical contribution.