Using a connected watch to help elderly patients withdraw from benzodiazepines

Can Connected Devices Increase the Success Rate of Benzodiazepine Withdrawals in the Elderly?

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital, Toulouse · NCT04912479

This study is testing whether a connected watch can help older adults safely stop using benzodiazepines by tracking their sleep and activity levels for six months.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages65 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Toulouse Academic / other
Locations1 site (Toulouse)
Trial IDNCT04912479 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a connected watch in assisting individuals aged 65 and older to withdraw from benzodiazepines over a six-month period. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving standard withdrawal support or an intervention group using the connected watch. The watch aims to enhance motivation by tracking sleep quality and physical activity. A total of 100 patients will be enrolled, identified through geriatric consultations or brief hospitalizations over a 12-month period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are elderly individuals aged 65 and older who have been using benzodiazepines for more than three months and have unassisted mobility.

Not a fit: Patients who are under legal protection, refuse to participate, or do not speak French may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the success rate of benzodiazepine withdrawal in elderly patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of connected devices in healthcare is gaining traction, this specific approach to benzodiazepine withdrawal in the elderly is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Unassisted mobility (1/1 for the locomotion item on KATZ Activities of Daily Living scale)
* Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) ≥ 20
* With a daily consumption of benzodiazepine for more than 3 months
* Smartphone and/or tablet with internet connection

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient under legal protection
* Patient refuses to participate
* Patient does not speak French

Where this trial is running

Toulouse

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.