scholarly journals ‘I Sat Filling in This Form While Smoking and It Was Divine’. An Analysis of Free-Text Comments from Smokers Who Report They Have No Intention of Quitting in the Next Six Months

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sweeney-Magee ◽  
D. Kale ◽  
A. Hamill ◽  
H. Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Smoking Behaviour ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Quit Attempts

Introduction: Smokers unmotivated to quit are neglected by smoking cessation research. Free-text comment analysis is a potentially useful way to gain insight into this group's beliefs.Aims: To analyse the free-text comments provided by smokers unmotivated to quit as part of a randomized controlled trial of computer-tailored feedback for smoking cessation.Method: A random sample of 58,660 smokers were sent a smoking behaviour questionnaire (SBQ). The responses and follow-up outcomes of those providing free-text comments were compared to those who did not to assess the representativeness of the former group of smokers. The comments of participants unmotivated to quit (631) were thematically analysed.Results: Those who provided a comment differed from those who did not on variables including education level and quit attempts at six-month follow-up. Emergent themes included; justification of smoking and restricting smoking instead of quitting.Conclusions: The findings illustrate the value of free-text comments in identifying issues important to respondents. The identified themes highlight areas for future research in smokers unmotivated to quit including cutting down as a path to quitting and explicit messages regarding the inability of positive health behaviours to balance out the negative impact of smoking on health.Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN05385712.

Delivery of a Nicotine Replacement Therapy Sample at Outdoor Smoking Hotspots for Promoting Quit Attempts: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1468-1475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yee Tak Derek Cheung ◽  
William Ho Cheung Li ◽  
Man Ping Wang ◽  
Tai Hing Lam
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Replacement Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Adjusted Risk ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Adjusted Risk Ratio ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
Brief Advice

Abstract Introduction Outdoor smoking hotspots are convenient venues for promoting smoking cessation. This randomized controlled trial aimed to obtain proof-of-concept evidence of the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness on quit attempts of delivering a 1-week free nicotine replacement therapy sample (NRTS) to smokers. Methods This pilot parallel, single-blinded, two-group (1:1) randomized controlled trial proactively recruited adult smokers in outdoor smoking hotspots in Hong Kong. Smokers consuming at least 10 cigarettes per day and fit for NRT use were individually randomized to receive either a 1-week NRT gum/patch and brief advice lasting 10 minutes (NRTS, n = 50), or receive only brief advice (control, n = 50). The primary outcomes were any self-reported quit attempts (stop smoking for at least 24 hours) at 1- and 3-month telephone follow-up. Risk ratios from log-binomial regression models were used to assess the associations. Results The NRTS increased quit attempts at 1-month (14% vs. 10%; adjusted risk ratio = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.43 to 3.61) and 3-month follow-up (26% vs. 12%; adjusted risk ratio = 2.17, 95% CI = 0.89 to 5.27), but the differences were not significant. Trial participation rate was about 81.3%. Around 54% of the intervention group participants used the NRT sample by the first month. The NRT users reported generally positive feedback about the usefulness of NRT sample for smoking cessation. Major factors of not using NRT included bad gum taste and their perception that NRT was not useful. Conclusions Delivering NRTS to smokers in outdoor smoking hotspots was feasible and efficacious in increasing NRT use. Additional post-recruitment support to sustain the use of NRT and cessation services is needed. Implications Our study supported that smokers at outdoor smoking hotspots can be approached for a brief smoking cessation intervention including an onsite delivery of NRTS. Delivering NRTS and a brief advice on using NRT to these smokers was feasible and efficacious to increase NRT use. A larger trial on the benefits on quit attempts and long-term abstinence is warranted.

scholarly journals A Randomised Controlled Trial of Inhibitory Control Training for Smoking Cessation: Outcomes, Mediators and Methodological Considerations

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura K. Hughes ◽  
Melissa J. Hayden ◽  
Jason Bos ◽  
Natalia S. Lawrence ◽  
George J. Youssef ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Nicotine Dependence ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Methodological Considerations

Objective: Inhibitory control training (ICT) has shown promise for improving health behaviours, however, less is known about its mediators of effectiveness. The current paper reports whether ICT reduces smoking-related outcomes such as craving and nicotine dependence, increases motivation to quit and whether reductions in smoking or craving are mediated by response inhibition or a devaluation of smoking stimuli.Method: Adult smokers (minimum 10 cigarettes per day; N = 107, Mage = 46.15 years, 57 female) were randomly allocated to receive 14 days of smoking-specific ICT (named INST; a go/no-go task where participants were trained to not respond to smoking stimuli) or active control training (participants inhibited responding toward neutral stimuli). Participants were followed up to 3-months post-intervention. This trial was preregistered (Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ID: ACTRN12617000252314; URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=370204).Results: There were no significant differences between ICT and active control training groups. Specifically, participants in both groups showed significant reductions in craving, nicotine dependence, motivation and a devaluation (reduced evaluation) of smoking-stimuli up to 3-months follow-up compared to baseline. Inhibition and devaluation of smoking stimuli did not act as mediators. Devaluation of smoking stimuli was an independent predictor of smoking and craving at follow-up.Conclusion: Inhibitory control training (ICT) was no more effective at reducing smoking-related outcomes compared to the active control group, however, significant improvements in craving, dependence indicators and evaluation of smoking stimuli were observed across both groups. A return to basic experimental research may be required to understand the most effective ICT approach to support smoking cessation.

scholarly journals Association of Spontaneous and Induced Self-Affirmation With Smoking Cessation in Users of a Mobile App: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth L Seaman ◽  
Cendrine D Robinson ◽  
David Crane ◽  
Jennifer M Taber ◽  
Rebecca A Ferrer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Study Entry ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Promote Smoking Cessation ◽  
To Receive ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND Most smokers attempt to stop using cigarettes numerous times before successfully quitting. Cigarette cravings may undermine perceived competence to quit and thus constitute psychological threats to the individual’s self-concept. Self-affirmation may promote smoking cessation by offsetting these threats. OBJECTIVE This study examines whether self-affirmation is associated with smoking cessation in the context of a cessation app. Two types of self-affirmation are examined: tendency to spontaneously self-affirm, and self-affirmation inductions added to a publicly available smoking cessation app (Smoke-Free Quit Smoking Now). In addition, this study explores whether optimism and emotional states (happiness, anger, anxiousness, hopefulness, sadness) predict smoking cessation. METHODS All users who met the inclusion criteria, provided consent to participate, and completed a baseline assessment, including all individual difference measures, were randomized to 1 of 4 conditions. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to complete a self-affirmation induction upon study entry. Orthogonally, half of the participants were randomly assigned to receive self-affirming text notifications during their quit attempt or to receive conventional notifications. The induction and the text notifications were fully automated, and all data were collected through self-assessments in the app. Self-reported smoking cessation was assessed 1 month and 3 months following study entry. RESULTS The study enrolled 7899 participants; 647 completed the 1-month follow-up. Using an intent-to-treat analysis at the 1-month follow-up, 7.2% (569/7899) of participants self-reported not smoking in the previous week and 6.4% (503/7899) self-reported not smoking in the previous month. Greater tendency to spontaneously self-affirm predicted a greater likelihood of cessation (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) at 1 month after controlling for smoking-related variables. Neither self-affirmation induction influenced cessation. In addition, spontaneous self-affirmation did not moderate the relationship between self-affirmation inductions and cessation. Greater baseline sadness was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting successful cessation. Optimism predicted past-week cessation at the 1-month follow-up, and both happiness and anger predicted past-month cessation at the 1-month follow-up; however, none of these potential predictors moderated the relationship between self-affirmation conditions and successful cessation. CONCLUSIONS Spontaneous self-affirmation may be an important psychological resource for managing threats to self-concept during the smoking cessation process. Sadness may hinder quit attempts. Future research can explicate how spontaneous versus induced self-affirmation can promote smoking cessation and examine boundary conditions for the effectiveness of disseminated self-affirmation interventions. CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN Registry 56646695; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN56646695

Facebook Chat Application to Prompt and Assist Smoking Cessation Among Spanish-Speaking Young Adults in South Texas

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110262
Author(s):  
Patricia Chalela ◽  
Alfred L. McAlister ◽  
David Akopian ◽  
Edgar Munoz ◽  
Cliff Despres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
South Texas ◽  
Spanish Speaking ◽  
Quit Attempt ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
Facebook Advertising

Given how smart phones, internet services, and social media have shown great potential for assisting smoking cessation, we constructed a Facebook chat application based on our previous work with SMS texting services. This report summarizes findings from 2,364 Spanish-speaking young adults recruited through Facebook advertising in South Texas during the 2020 New Year holiday season. Among these service users, 926 (39%) were ready to make a quit attempt, and 26 (3.1%) of those users reported that they were tobacco free 1 month later. There were no responses to a chat question survey 72 days after the dates selected for quitting. Although more research with longer follow up is needed, these findings show that social media chat applications may be helpful for at least prompting quit attempts and short-term cessation among young adult Spanish-speaking smokers. There is no evidence of an impact on long-term cessation, and more research is clearly needed.

Electronic cigarettes, quit attempts and smoking cessation: a 6-month follow-up

Addiction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 112 (9) ◽  
pp. 1620-1628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Pasquereau ◽  
Romain Guignard ◽  
Raphaël Andler ◽  
Viêt Nguyen-Thanh
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Quit Attempts

scholarly journals Relative effectiveness of a full versus reduced version of the ‘Smoke Free’ mobile application for smoking cessation: a randomised controlled trial

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1524 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Crane ◽  
Harveen Kaur Ubhi ◽  
Jamie Brown ◽  
Robert West
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Full Version ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Support Programmes ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Background: Smartphone applications (apps) are popular aids for smoking cessation. Smoke Free is an app that delivers behaviour change techniques used in effective face-to-face behavioural support programmes. The aim of this study was to assess whether the full version of Smoke Free is more effective than the reduced version. Methods:  This was a two-arm randomised controlled trial. Smokers who downloaded Smoke Free were randomly offered the full or reduced version; 28,112 smokers aged 18+ years who set a quit date were included. The full version provided updates on benefits of abstinence, progress (days smoke free), virtual ‘badges’ and daily ‘missions’ with push notifications aimed at preventing and managing cravings. The reduced version did not include the missions. At baseline the app recorded users’: device type (iPhone or Android), age, sex, daily cigarette consumption, time to first cigarette of the day, and educational level. The primary outcome was self-reported complete abstinence from the quit date in a 3-month follow-up questionnaire delivered via the app. Analyses conducted included logistic regressions of outcome on to app version (full versus reduced) with adjustment for baseline variables using both intention-to-treat/missing-equals smoking (MES) and follow-up-only (FUO) analyses. Results: The 3-month follow-up rate was 8.5% (n=1,213) for the intervention and 6.5% (n=901) for the control. A total of 234 participants reported not smoking in the intervention versus 124 in the control, representing 1.6% versus 0.9% in the MES analysis and 19.3% versus 13.8% in the FUO analysis. Adjusted odds ratios were 1.90, 95%CI=1.53-2.37 (p<0.001) and 1.50, 95%CI=1.18-1.91 (p<0.001) in the MES and FUO analyses respectively. Conclusions: Despite very low follow-up rates using in-app follow up, both intention-to-treat/missing equals smoking and follow-up only analyses showed the full version of the Smoke Free app to result in higher self-reported 3-month continuous smoking abstinence rates than the reduced version.

Abstract P240: Discrimination Mediates the Adverse Effect of Neighborhood Problems on Cardiometabolic Risk Among Latino/a Adults

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
High Body Mass Index ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Neighborhood Problems

Introduction: Latino/as in the US on average present with low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and high body-mass index (BMI), putting them at higher risk for future cardiometabolic disease. Neighborhoods have been implicated, directly and indirectly, in poorer cardiometabolic health among ethnic minorities. US Latino/as often live in neighborhoods where they may not have access to engage in positive health behaviors, such as proper diet and physical activity. However, the mediating role of discrimination experienced in these neighborhoods has hardly been examined within the context of Latino/a cardiometabolic health. Methods: We analyzed data from the Texas City Stress and Health Study. Participants were self-identified Latino/a/Hispanic ( N = 500, 61.8% female, M age = 49.08, SD age = 15.80) who reported on their perceived experience of discrimination (higher scores reflecting more discrimination) and their perception of their neighborhood (higher scores reflecting more positive environment) validated survey measures. A trained phlebotomist drew blood in a clinic or in the participant’s home between 8 and 11 AM after fasting for HDL (mg/dL). Blood samples were centrifuged to obtain plasma, which was stored at –70°C until testing. All specimen were batch analyzed and read blind-coded. Additionally, they took clinical measures of participant’s height and weight, to calculate BMI (adjusted for sex). To estimate the mediating effect of discrimination through perception of neighborhood on cardiometabolic risk, path analysis with bootstrapped linear regression models were conducted. We conducted analyses unadjusted and adjusted for age, sex, education, and nativity. All analyses were conducted in the PROCESS macro in SPSS. Results: Participants on average had high HDL levels ( M mg/dL = 51.00, SD = 15.59). Males on average were overweight ( M BMI = 29.78, SD = 5.49) and females ( M BMI = 31.42, SD = 7.27) on average were obese. Bootstrapped estimates showed that perception of neighborhood fully mediated the effect of discrimination on HDL (b = -.43, SE = .18 p = .015) and BMI (b = .02, SE = .01, p = .023), unadjusted for covariates. Although the fully mediated model for BMI withstood adjustment for covariates, the model for HDL did not withstand adjustment. Conclusion: Discrimination accounts for the negative impact that neighborhood problems have on poor cardiometabolic health among adult Latino/as. Future research should examine how positive neighborhood interactions (e.g., walking clubs or playgroups) can mitigate the adverse effects on cardiometabolic health among this at-risk population.

Training Teachers to Manage Students with Asperger's Syndrome in an Inclusive Classroom Setting

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Hinton ◽  
Kate Sofronoff ◽  
Jeanie Sheffield
Keyword(s):  
Asperger's Syndrome ◽  
Asperger’S Syndrome ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Inclusive Classroom ◽  
Classroom Setting ◽  
Teacher Competence ◽  
Problem Behaviours

AbstractThis controlled trial of a teacher training intervention aimed to increase teacher competence in managing the problem behaviours associated with Asperger's syndrome, as manifested in a classroom setting. All teacher-participants currently managed a student with Asperger's syndrome in an inclusive classroom setting. Measures were taken on two occasions: pre-workshop and 6-week follow-up. Variables of interest were number of problem behaviours, success of teacher strategies used to manage problem behaviours and teacher self-efficacy in managing behaviours. Qualitative data assessing both the utility of the workshop and effectiveness of the individual management strategies was also gathered. At 6-week follow up, teachers reported increased confidence in their ability to manage the student with Asperger's syndrome, fewer problem behaviours displayed by the student and increased success in using strategies to manage the student in the classroom. The utility of both the workshop itself and individual management strategies were also endorsed by all teacher-participants. Suggestions for future research and limitation of the study are also discussed.

Randomized, Controlled Trial of Transdermal Clonidine for Smoking Cessation

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 1025-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Hilleman ◽  
Syed M. Mohiuddin ◽  
Michael G. Delcore ◽  
B. Daniel Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Behavior Modification ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Cancer Society ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Women Smokers

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of clonidine versus placebo in smoking cessation. DESIGN: Single-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-design comparison of transdermal clonidine with behavior modification, transdermal clonidine without behavior modification, placebo with behavior modification, and placebo without behavior modification. SETTING: Outpatient, university-based ambulatory care facility. PATIENTS: One hundred fifty generally healthy, highly nicotine-dependent cigarette smokers. INTERVENTION: Clonidine was given as the transdermal patch initiated 72 hours prior to smoking-cessation attempts and continued for six weeks thereafter. Clonidine was given at a dose of 0.2 mg/d for patients weighing more than 150 pounds (>67.5 kg) and at a dose of 0.1 mg/d for patients weighing less than 150 pounds (<67.5 kg). Behavior modification consisted of a total of 12 one-hour structured group training sessions. Patients not receiving behavior modification received printed material, which included the “Help Quit Kit” and the “I Quit Kit” from the American Cancer Society. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Smoking-cessation rates were assessed at 6, 12, 24, and 52 weeks of follow-up. In addition, adverse reactions to clonidine or placebo were evaluated. RESULTS: Clonidine with behavior modification was statistically superior to the other three treatment groups but only at 6 weeks of follow-up. There were no differences in smoking-cessation rates among any of the treatment groups at any other follow-up intervals. Patients receiving behavior modification, regardless of whether they received clonidine, had better quit rates than patients not receiving behavior modification at all follow-up times except 52 weeks. Women receiving clonidine had significantly better quit rates than men receiving clonidine at all follow-up visits. Clonidine was associated with a significantly higher incidence of adverse effects than placebo (52 vs. 11 percent). However, the number of smokers withdrawing from the study was not greater with clonidine compared with placebo (9 vs. 7 percent, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Clonidine is probably not effective as a pharmacologic adjunct to behavior modification in smoking cessation. It may have a potential role in women smokers who do-not respond to or cannot tolerate more traditional smoking-cessation therapies.

scholarly journals A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Distress Tolerance Treatment for Weight Concern in Smoking Cessation Among Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1578-1586
Author(s):  
Erika Litvin Bloom ◽  
Susan E Ramsey ◽  
Ana M Abrantes ◽  
Laura Hunt ◽  
Rena R Wing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Emotional Eating ◽  
Distress Tolerance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Group Sessions ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Introduction The majority of women who smoke cigarettes report that concern about weight gain is a barrier to quitting. We developed an intervention incorporating distress tolerance, appetite awareness, and mindful eating skills to target concerns about post-cessation weight gain and emotional eating (DT-W). In the current study, we conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of DT-W versus a smoking health education (HE) intervention. Methods Participants (N = 69 adult female, weight-concerned smokers) were recruited in cohorts of 4–11. Cohorts were randomized to DT-W or HE. DT-W and HE were matched on format (single individual session followed by eight group sessions), inclusion of cognitive behavioral therapy for smoking cessation (CBT) content, and pharmacotherapy (nicotine patches). Follow-up assessments occurred at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-treatment. Results The recruitment goal was met; 61 of the 69 participants attended at least one group session. There were no significant differences between DT-W and HE in the number of group sessions attended (DT-W adjusted M = 5.09, HE adjusted M = 5.03, p = .92), ratings of treatment effectiveness or usefulness of skills, or retention at 6-month follow-up (79% in DT-W vs. 78% in HE) (ps &gt; .05), but comprehension ratings were lower in DT-W than in HE (p = .02). Conclusions Overall, these results suggest that the study procedures and interventions were feasible and acceptable, but changes to the DT-W intervention content to improve comprehension should be considered prior to conducting a fully powered trial. Implications A distress tolerance-based treatment targeting fear of weight gain after smoking cessation and post-cessation emotional eating was feasible and acceptable relative to a smoking HE comparison condition, but changes should be considered before conducting a larger trial. Continued innovation in treatment development for weight-concerned smokers is needed.

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