Antipsychotic Deprescription for Older Adults in Long-term Care: The HALT Study

Objectives: Despite limited efficacy and significant safety concerns, antipsychotic medications are frequently used to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in long-term residential care. This study evaluates the sustained reduction of antipsychotic use for BPSD through a deprescribing intervention and education of health care professionals.

Design: Repeated-measures, longitudinal, single-arm study.

Setting: Long-term residential care of older adults.

Participants: Nursing staff from 23 nursing homes recruited 139 residents taking regular antipsychotic medication for ≥3 months, without primary psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, or severe BPSD.

Intervention: An antipsychotic deprescribing protocol was established. Education of general practitioners, pharmacists, and residential care nurses focused on nonpharmacological prevention and management of BPSD.

Measurements: The primary outcome was antipsychotic use over 12-month follow-up; secondary outcomes were BPSD (Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, and social withdrawal) and adverse outcomes (falls, hospitalizations, and cognitive decline).

Results: The number of older adults on regular antipsychotics over 12 months reduced by 81.7% (95% confidence interval: 72.4-89.0). Withdrawal was not accompanied by drug substitution or a significant increase in pro-re-nata antipsychotic or benzodiazepine administration. There was no change in BPSD or in adverse outcomes.

Conclusion: In a selected sample of older adults living in long-term residential care, sustained reduction in regular antipsychotic use is feasible without an increase of BPSD.