Changes in the prescription of benzodiazepines and related drugs at month 12 after E2R hypnotherapy in previously treated patients: A descriptive study

Abstract

Background and purpose

In France, benzodiazepines are widely prescribed and consumed for anxiety and sleep disorders. E2R (Emotion, Regression, Repair) hypnotherapy could be an alternative non-pharmacological method to reduce their long-term use. The aim of this study was to estimate indirectly the effect of E2R hypnosis on the withdrawal rate at month 12 post-hypnotherapy in patients on long-term treatment (>3 months) with benzodiazepines or related drugs.

Materials and methods

Retrospective observational study using data on 73 patients treated with E2R hypnotherapy for anxiety, depression or sleep disorders extracted from the patient databases of some French general practitioners trained in E2R hypnosis. Prescription of benzodiazepines or related drugs was analyzed at inclusion and at month 12 after E2R hypnotherapy.

Results

At month 12, 79.5 % had reduced or stopped their consumption (mean reduction of 55 %): 57.5 % of patients had completely stopped taking benzodiazepines or related drugs (95 % CI: 45.4 %–69.0 %) and 21.9 % were using them occasionally, based on the general practitioners' prescriptions. The percentage of patients with antidepressant prescriptions also decreased from 49.3 % to 31.5 % and 44.4 % of initial users stopped taking antidepressants. No factor associated with drug withdrawal was identified.

Conclusion

This observational study suggests that E2R hypnotherapy might be a promising and rapid approach for reducing or discontinuing benzodiazepines or related drugs, with results similar to those obtained with other non-pharmacological interventions. Controlled trials are needed to confirm its efficacy.