1 Athletes may use benzodiazepines before events to improve sleep, but these drugs may adversely affect performance. 2 Nitrazepam (10 mg) and temazepam (30 mg) were compared with placebo in 27 physical education students, (14 males, 13 females). Treatments were administered at night, using a double-blind, double dummy protocol, for 9 nights. Observations were made in the morning after night 2 and night 9. At least 2 weeks interval was allowed between each treatment.3 At each examination lung mechanics were measured, a Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire completed, recognition reaction time, choice reaction time and the critical flicker fusion threshold test were used to assess psychomotor activity and an exercise test was performed. The subject exercised to exhaustion on a bicycle ergometer while ventilation, gas exchange and heart rate were recorded on an FM tape unit for off-line digital analysis. 4 The questionnaire indicated that both drugs were equally effective in promoting and maintaining sleep, but nitrazepam had a marked 'hangover' effect. The psychomotor activity and lung mechanics however seemed unaffected. On day 2, maximum exercise levels attained using either drug were comparable to placebo whilst on day 9 temazepam and placebo were significantly higher than nitrazepam. 5 Heart rate was significantly increased at each exercise level with both drugs. 6 Although there may be some effect of these drugs on athletic performance this is likely to be small especially with temazepam.

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Background: There is an established evidence-base for dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) in the treatment of young people with severe emotion dysregulation and related problems, including repeated self-harm and suicidal behaviours. However, few studies have reported on parental involvement in such treatments. This study aims to explore the outcomes and experiences of participants of a dedicated skills group for parents and carers embedded within an adapted DBT-A programme in the United Kingdom. Method: This study was conducted within a specialist outpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) DBT programme in the National Health Service (NHS) in London. Participants were parents and carers of adolescents engaged in the DBT-A programme. Participants attended a 6-month parent and carer skills group intervention and completed self-report measures relating to carer distress, communication and family functioning, at pre-intervention and post-intervention. Following the intervention, semi-structured interviews were also completed with a subgroup of participants to explore their experiences of the skills group and how they perceived its effectiveness. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyse the data collected from participants. Results: Forty-one parents and carers completed the intervention. Participants reported a number of statistically significant changes from pre- to post-intervention: general levels of distress and problems in family communication decreased, while perceived openness of family communication and strengths and adaptability in family functioning increased. A thematic analysis of post-intervention interviews examining participant experiences identified six themes: (1) experiences prior to DBT; (2) safety in DBT; (3) experiences with other parents and carers; (4) new understandings; (5) changes in behaviours; and (6) future suggestions. Discussion: Parents and carers who attended a dedicated DBT skills groups, adapted for local needs, reported improvements in their wellbeing, as well as interactions with their adolescents and more general family functioning, by the end of the intervention. Further studies are needed which report on caregiver involvement in DBT.