Comparison of withdrawal symptom intensity between hypnosis and nicotine-replacement-therapies: A pilot study

BACKGROUND The majority of cigarette smokers want to quit someday but are not ready to commit to long-term abstinence. However, available smoking cessation treatments are not well-suited to meet the needs of these ambivalent smokers. Low-cost, high-reach mobile health (mHealth) interventions may be a cost-efficient means of offering assistance to ambivalent smokers, yet there are currently no evidence-based options available for this group. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to develop and preliminarily evaluate the core content for an mHealth program targeting adult smokers who are ambivalent about quitting. The core content consisted of a series of “personal experiments” similar to those tested as part of a counseling intervention in prior work, including brief cognitive or behavioral tasks designed to boost readiness for changing smoking behavior. METHODS We conducted individual user interviews (N=3) to refine program content, and then conducted a one-arm pilot study (N=25) to assess user receptivity and the potential impact of the experiments on motivation and self-efficacy to quit or reduce smoking. RESULTS In user interviews, participants liked the concept of the personal experiments. Participants in the pilot study found a medium-fidelity prototype to be highly acceptable. After watching a brief orientation video that explained how the program works, most participants (80%, 20/25) indicated that it sounded interesting, primarily because it did not require any commitment to quit. All participants (100%, 25/25) completed all 7 experiments, including a 24-hour quit attempt, although not all were able to refrain from smoking for a full day based on qualitative feedback on the experiment. The mean rating of usefulness of the overall program was 4.12 (SD 1.09) out of 5, and the average rating of the difficulty of the experiments was 2.16 (SD 1.18) out of 5. At the last assessment point, 92% (23/25) of the participants indicated that they were more interested in either quitting or cutting back than when they began the program, and 72% (18/25) said that if the program had included a free trial of nicotine replacement therapy, they would have used it to try to quit smoking. CONCLUSIONS This formative work confirmed that ambivalent smokers are willing to use and will remain engaged with an mHealth intervention that employs the novel concept of personal experiments to enhance their motivation for and ability to quit smoking. The addition of action-oriented treatment (self-help and free nicotine replacement therapy, quitline referral) could further support users’ efforts to stop smoking and remain quit.

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Fermented Soy Supplementation Improves Quality of Life Indicators: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Trial in Adults Experiencing Heartburn

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa055_009 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1124-1124

Author(s):

Asmaa Fatani ◽

Kadi Vaher ◽

Karima Alabasi ◽

Wendy Dahl

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Lactobacillus Delbrueckii ◽

Soy Flour ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Double Blind ◽

Symptom Intensity

Abstract Objectives The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effects of a fermented soy supplement on heartburn relief, gastrointestinal symptoms, and quality of life. Methods A 5-week, randomized, double-blind pilot study was conducted with adults (n = 51; 37F/14 M, 31 ± 12y) experiencing mild or moderate heartburn. Following a 1-week baseline, participants self-treated heartburn symptoms with up to 3, 1 g sachets of a non-GMO soy flour fermented by Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. delbrueckii Rosell-187 or placebo (maltodextrin) sachets per incident for 3 weeks followed by a 1-week washout. Differences from baseline between treatments were compared using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test (alpha 0.05). Symptom intensity at 5, 15 and 30-min post administration was assessed using a Likert-like scale (1, no symptoms to 5, severe discomfort). The Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS) (1-no discomfort to 7-very severe discomfort) and Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (GERD-QOL) (4-strongly disagree to 0-strongly agree) were administered during baseline, intervention, and washout. Results No significant differences between intervention groups were seen for heartburn severity or frequency, GSRS syndromes or GERD-QOL domains. However, individual QOL items related to inconvenience of taking medications (−1.0 ± 1.3 vs −0.04 ± 1.8, P < 0.05), fear of eating (−1.4 ± 1.3 vs −0.2 ± 1.7, P < 0.05), inability to concentrate at work (−0.9 ± 1.6 vs −0.3 ± 1.0, P < 0.05), and disturbance of after-meal activities and rest (−1.6 ± 1.5 vs −0.7 ± 1.5, P < 0.05) significantly improved with fermented soy compared to control. In addition, the frequency of heartburn (0.3 ± 0.3 vs 0.1 ± 0.3, P < 0.05) and the GSRS symptoms of diarrhea (0.3 ± 1.4 vs −0.3 ± 1.2, P < 0.05) and bloating (0.7 ± 1.7 vs 0.1 ± 1.3, P < 0.05) were significantly improved during washout vs. baseline for the fermented soy group, demonstrating a possible carryover effect over time. Conclusions Further research is suggested to test the effect of daily supplementation of fermented soy on heartburn frequency, gastrointestinal symptoms and QOL in a trial of longer duration. Funding Sources Lallemand Bio-Ingredients

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96 Does Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy Lead to Improved Smoking Cessation Rates in Cancer Patients? Results of a Pilot Study

Radiotherapy and Oncology ◽

10.1016/s0167-8140(19)33388-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 139 ◽

pp. S43

Author(s):

Andrew Arifin ◽

Laura McCracken ◽

Stacie Nesbitt ◽

Andrew Warner ◽

Robert Dinniwell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Nicotine Replacement Therapy ◽

Nicotine Replacement

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Outcome of Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Patients Admitted to ICU: A Randomized Controlled Double-Blind Prospective Pilot Study

Respiratory Care ◽

10.4187/respcare.01791 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 58 (10) ◽

pp. 1625-1629 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

V. Pathak ◽

I. S. H. Rendon ◽

R. Lupu ◽

N. Tactuk ◽

T. Olutade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Nicotine Replacement Therapy ◽

Double Blind ◽

Nicotine Replacement ◽

Prospective Pilot Study ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Pre-quitting nicotine replacement therapy: Findings from a pilot study

Tobacco Induced Diseases ◽

10.1186/1617-9625-3-2-35 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 35 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chris Bullen ◽

Robyn Whittaker ◽

Natalie Walker ◽

Mark Wallace-Bell

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Nicotine Replacement Therapy ◽

Nicotine Replacement

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Nicotine Replacement Combined with a Novel Compound (ProBAN) for Smoking Cessation: A Pilot Study

Canadian Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1155/2001/947097 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 21-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Richard Leigh ◽

Norman M Viner ◽

Gerard Cox ◽

Jeffrey W Balon ◽

Douglas MC Wilson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Control Group ◽

Nicotine Gum ◽

Double Blind ◽

Nicotine Replacement ◽

Continuous Abstinence ◽

To Receive

BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation rates with available pharmacological therapies remain suboptimal. Anecdotal observations with a combination of sublingual pralidoxime and ipratropium (ProBAN) suggested that these agents in combination with nicotine gum improved quit rates.OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ProBAN together with nicotine replacement improves quit rates compared with nicotine replacement alone.DESIGN: A 12-week, prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled pilot study. SETTING: University-affiliated outpatient clinic.POPULATION STUDIED: Healthy adult smokers were recruited via advertisements. Of 107 subjects seen at the screening visit, 27 were excluded because of comorbid illness or concomitant medication use.INTERVENTIONS: Of 80 eligible subjects, 40 were randomly assigned to receive treatment with ProBAN sub- lingual tablets and nicotine gum (treatment group), and 40 to receive placebo tablets and nicotine gum (control group) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was complete continuous abstinence of smoking from one through 12 weeks after the quit date.MAIN RESULTS: There were no adverse effects in the treatment group. At one week after the quit date, 35% of ProBAN-treated subjects had quit compared with 18% of control subjects (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% CI 0.9 to 7.2). Corresponding quit rates at four weeks were 28% and 15% (OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.7 to 6.5), at eight weeks were 25% and 13% (OR 2.3, 95% CI 0.7 to 7.6), and at 12 weeks were 23% and 13% (OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.6 to 6.7), respectively.CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study indicated that ProBAN combined with nicotine replacement doubled the continuous sustained quit rate compared with nicotine replacement alone, with no adverse effects. Although not statistically significant due to the size of the study, this result suggests that it may be an effective therapy for smoking cessation, and larger studies are warranted.

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Pilot Study of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Cessation Methods

10.20944/preprints202012.0233.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Michelle Sahr ◽

Shelby Kelsh ◽

Noah Blower ◽

Minji Sohn

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Nicotine Replacement Therapy ◽

Delivery Systems ◽

Self Control ◽

Behavioral Support ◽

Nicotine Replacement ◽

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems ◽

The U.S

Currently 7.6% of the U.S. young adults aged 18-24 years old currently use e-cigarettes. This study piloted three methods of ENDS cessation by measuring cessation rates, motivational techniques that contributed to cessation success, and participants’ changes after decreasing vape use. Participants were randomized into three study arms [nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) + behavioral support, vape-taper + behavioral support, self-guided] in a 1:1:1 ratio. All participants were invited to attend 9 in-person or phone appointments over the 6 month study period. At 12 weeks, 3 of 7 (42.9%) participants in the NRT + behavioral support arm, 6 of 8 (75%) vape-taper + behavioral support arm, and 7 of 9 (77.8%) self-guided arm self-reported being vape- and nicotine-free. At 6 months, 3 of 7 (42.9%) participants in the NRT + behavioral support arm, 6 of 8 (75%) vape-taper + behavioral support arm, 4 of 9 (44.4%) self-guided arm self-reported being vape- and nicotine-free. A challenge to quitting and remain quit is social pressures, but participants identified self-control and establishing new habits to be the best methods to overcome the desire to vape. Participants who received behavioral support and a vape-taper plan from pharmacists were more likely to be vape- and nicotine-free at 6 months.

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Pre-quitting nicotine replacement therapy: Findings from a pilot study

Tobacco Induced Diseases ◽

10.1186/1617-9625-3-59 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 59

Author(s):

Chris Bullen ◽

Robyn Whittaker ◽

Natalie Walker ◽

Mark Wallace-Bell

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Nicotine Replacement Therapy ◽

Nicotine Replacement

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Development of a Mobile Health Intervention with Personal Experiments for Smokers Who Are Ambivalent About Quitting: Formative Design and Testing

JMIR Formative Research ◽

10.2196/21784 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (8) ◽

pp. e21784

Author(s):

Jaimee L Heffner ◽

Sheryl L Catz ◽

Predrag Klasnja ◽

Brooks Tiffany ◽

Jennifer B McClure

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Nicotine Replacement Therapy ◽

Mobile Health ◽

Smoking Behavior ◽

Nicotine Replacement ◽

Counseling Intervention ◽

The Core ◽

Core Content ◽

Quit Smoking

Background The majority of cigarette smokers want to quit someday but are not ready to commit to long-term abstinence. However, available smoking cessation treatments are not well-suited to meet the needs of these ambivalent smokers. Low-cost, high-reach mobile health (mHealth) interventions may be a cost-efficient means of offering assistance to ambivalent smokers, yet there are currently no evidence-based options available for this group. Objective The aim of this study was to develop and preliminarily evaluate the core content for an mHealth program targeting adult smokers who are ambivalent about quitting. The core content consisted of a series of “personal experiments” similar to those tested as part of a counseling intervention in prior work, including brief cognitive or behavioral tasks designed to boost readiness for changing smoking behavior. Methods We conducted individual user interviews (N=3) to refine program content, and then conducted a one-arm pilot study (N=25) to assess user receptivity and the potential impact of the experiments on motivation and self-efficacy to quit or reduce smoking. Results In user interviews, participants liked the concept of the personal experiments. Participants in the pilot study found a medium-fidelity prototype to be highly acceptable. After watching a brief orientation video that explained how the program works, most participants (80%, 20/25) indicated that it sounded interesting, primarily because it did not require any commitment to quit. All participants (100%, 25/25) completed all 7 experiments, including a 24-hour quit attempt, although not all were able to refrain from smoking for a full day based on qualitative feedback on the experiment. The mean rating of usefulness of the overall program was 4.12 (SD 1.09) out of 5, and the average rating of the difficulty of the experiments was 2.16 (SD 1.18) out of 5. At the last assessment point, 92% (23/25) of the participants indicated that they were more interested in either quitting or cutting back than when they began the program, and 72% (18/25) said that if the program had included a free trial of nicotine replacement therapy, they would have used it to try to quit smoking. Conclusions This formative work confirmed that ambivalent smokers are willing to use and will remain engaged with an mHealth intervention that employs the novel concept of personal experiments to enhance their motivation for and ability to quit smoking. The addition of action-oriented treatment (self-help and free nicotine replacement therapy, quitline referral) could further support users’ efforts to stop smoking and remain quit.

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