Difficulties in falling asleep or staying asleep have become the worst nightmare for a large part of the population, and since pills have not yet been invented to stop thinking, how well would they help us to control stress and anticipatory anxiety? , the treatment of insomnia is based on drugs or sleep hygiene measures. Now, the British health system has gone a step further and recommends that these patients be prescribed an app to sleep better, instead of pills.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), an independent body linked to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), has announced that people suffering from insomnia could benefit from a Sleepio app-based therapy as an alternative to sleeping pills, which would help reduce prescriptions for drugs such as zolpidem and zopiclone, which can lead to dependency.
Sleepio: how the app that promotes quality sleep works
People using the Sleepio app receive personalized digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), thanks to the artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm used by the app. This digital self-help program runs for six weeks – although full access is maintained for 12 months from registration – and includes a sleep test, weekly interactive CBT-I sessions, and a journal in which insomniacs record their sleep patterns. sleep.
“Using Sleepio reduces the number of GP appointments needed by people with insomnia and will also reduce the number of prescriptions for sleeping pills”
The sessions are intended to identify the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that favor the appearance of insomnia symptoms. Cognitive interventions aim to improve the way an individual thinks about sleep, while behavioral interventions aim to promote a healthy sleep routine.
The sleep diary – which can be completed by hand or by uploading data from a compatible wearable tracking device such as a smart watch – allows users to track their progress, and the program tailors advice to individuals. In addition, they can check out electronic library articles, online tools, and join the online Sleepio user community for support.
Sleepio, more effective against insomnia than sleep hygiene or pills
Results from 12 randomized controlled trials that have been submitted to the NICE medical technologies advisory committee have shown that Sleepio is more effective in reducing insomnia than sleep hygiene and sleeping pills. “Until now, people with insomnia have been offered sleeping pills and taught about sleep hygiene, so our committee’s recommendation of Sleepio gives GPs and their patients a new sleep option. treatment,” said Jeanette Kusel, Interim Head of MedTech and Digital at NICE.
“Our rigorous, transparent and evidence-based review has found that Sleepio is a cost saver for the NHS compared to usual treatments in primary care. It will also reduce the dependence of people with insomnia on drugs that create dependence, such as zolpidem and zopiclone.”
“This is a good example of how digital health technology can help the NHS. Evidence has shown that the use of Sleepio reduces the number of GP appointments needed by people with insomnia and will also reduce the number of sleeping pill prescriptions dispensed by pharmacists.”
Sleepio costs £45 (excluding VAT) for each person starting Session 1 of the programme, which is a cost saving compared to usual treatment in primary care in the UK, an analysis of data from Primary care resource use before and after the introduction of Sleepio in nine GP practices. Health care costs were lower at one year, mainly because fewer sleeping pills were prescribed and there were fewer GP appointments.
The independent NICE committee has recommended that pregnant women and patients with co-morbidities undergo a medical evaluation before referring to Sleepio. Pregnant women should undergo a prior evaluation because insomnia can be associated with other health problems such as restless legs syndrome, or be a consequence of undiagnosed sleep apnea.
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