Title : Cognitive implications of long-term benzodiazepine use in adults
Abstract:
The respective scholarly project seeks to address the question of: in adults with anxiety, what is the effect of benzodiazepine use on cognitive function over the course of at least two months? This prospectus will provide an overview of the indications and efficacy of the usage of benzodiazepines, as well as potential adverse effects associated with their use. This prospectus will further provide a comprehensive overview of current evidenced based literature regarding the cognitive implications of long-term benzodiazepines use in adults and address gaps in the current literature. This prospectus will also discuss alternative pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment options in lieu of benzodiazepine prescription and how remaining up to date on evidenced based practice for benzodiazepine prescription in adults will develop the advance practice nursing role and promote harm reduction in this population.
Keywords: Benzodiazepines, adults, cognition deficits, cognitive impairment, dependency.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- The intent of this study is to further the comprehension of impaired cognitive function in adults who use BZDs in the long term.
- Knowledge of potential cognitive deficits associated with long term benzodiazepine use in adults may lead to caution in prescriptive practice of advance practice registered nurses (APRNs) and other healthcare clinicians.
- APRNs may pursue the usage of alternative and complementary interventions to BZDs in the long-term treatment of anxiety in adults.
