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How Sleep App Would End Sleeping Pills For Insomnia | READ IN FULL

Artificial Intelligence sleep App may mean an end to sleeping pills for insomniacs

Up to 800,000 people in England could benefit from the £45 app which can work through wearable devices like the Apple watch.

A new artificial intelligence sleep app has been developed that might be able to replace sleeping pills for insomnia sufferers.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said it would save the NHS money as well as reduce prescriptions of medicines such as zolpidem and zopiclone, which can be dependency forming.

Its economic analysis found healthcare costs were lower after one year of using Sleepio, mostly because of fewer GP appointments and sleeping pills prescribed.

The app provides a digital six-week self-help programme involving a sleep test, weekly interactive CBT-I sessions and keeping a diary about sleeping patterns.

The sessions focus on identifying thoughts, feelings and behaviours that contribute to the symptoms of insomnia. Cognitive interventions aim to improve the way a person thinks about sleep and the behavioural interventions aim to promote a healthy sleep routine.

NICE predicts up to 800,000 people could benefit from using Sleepio in England.

Sky News