• Completion rate [ Time Frame: 8 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  

• Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), Japanese Version [ Time Frame: 8 week ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Clinical Stabilometric Platform (CSP) [ Time Frame: 8 week ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Critical Flicker Fusion Test (CFF) [ Time Frame: 8 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ) [ Time Frame: 8 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Clinical Global Impressions [ Time Frame: 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) have been reported to cause negative impacts on motor as well as cognitive functions, which in turn could result in lethal incidents including falls especially in the elderly. This notwithstanding, few trials have evaluated a feasibility and benefits of discontinuing BZD-derivative hypnotics in a systematic manner in this frail population. In this study, we examined changes in motor and cognitive functions following the discontinuation of BZD hypnotics in older persons.

In this 8-week open-label study, subjects aged 50 or older who receive BZD as a hypnotic and do not have any unstable physical illness, or neurological disorder will be recruited. The BZD dose will be discontinued in 4 weeks by a weekly 25% reduction.

Following assessments will be performed at baseline 12 hours postdose and at endpoint: the Clinical Stabilometric Platform (CSP), the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the Critical Flicker Fusion Test (CFF), the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ). The CSP measures the stability of body, with the eyes opened or closed.

All psychotropic agents other than the BZD-derivative hypnotics will be kept constant throughout the study.

The dose reduction will be terminated if any of the following conditions are fulfilled:

1. Clinical worsening in sleep defined as a CGI-Global Improvement score of 7
2. Participant's request
3. Clinical decision on the part of the physician of record or independent consulting physician In the event that a participant needs a dose increment for anxiety and insomnia, the dose will be increased back to the previous dose, and they will be followed for the rest of the study period. In addition, the use of trazodone (25-100 mg/day) will be allowed anytime throughout the study period.