App-based insomnia treatment ‘Sleepio’ could save the NHS money and reduce prescriptions for sleeping pills, a health public body has said.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the app as an effective alternative for sleeping pills like zolpidem and zopiclone, which can be addictive.

According to the non-departmental public body, which belongs to the Department of Health and Social Care in England, economic analysis found that healthcare costs were lower at one year when using Sleepio, largely driven by fewer GP appointments and less prescriptions dished out to patients.

“This is a good example of where a digital health technology can help the NHS,” said Jeanette Kusel, acting director for MedTech and digital at NICE. “The evidence has shown using Sleepio reduces the number of GP appointments people with insomnia need and will also cut the number of prescriptions for sleeping pills delivered by pharmacists.”

The platform uses an AI algorithm to provide users with personalised cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).

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

The sessions focus on identifying thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that contribute to the symptoms of insomnia.

NICE said that up to 800,000 people could benefit from the technology in England.

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