The efficacy of computer-tailored smoking cessation material as a supplement to nicotine patch therapy

• Published in: Drug and alcohol dependence Vol. 64; no. 1; pp. 35 - 46
• Main Authors: Shiffman, S., Paty, J.A., Rohay, J.M., Di Marino, M.E., Gitchell, J.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.09.2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Adult; Behavior Therapy; Behavioral treatment; Behavioural approaches; Biological and medical sciences; Cessation; Combined Modality Therapy; Computerized data; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Logistic Models; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nicotine - therapeutic use; Nicotine patches; Nicotine replacement; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Patient Compliance; Self-help; Selfhelp programmes; Smoking; Smoking cessation; Smoking Cessation - methods; Time Factors; Tobacco, tobacco smoking; Toxicology; Treatment Outcome; Smoking cessation; Nicotine replacement; Self-help; Behavioral treatment; Smoking; Human; Evaluation; Replacement therapy; Detoxification; Tobacco smoking; Educational schedule; Health education; Percutaneous route; Behavior therapy; Combined treatment; Behavior; Patch; Nicotine
• ISSN: 0376-8716; 1879-0046
• DOI: 10.1016/S0376-8716(00)00237-4

The study evaluated the efficacy of the Committed Quitters Program (CQP), a computer-tailored set of printed behavioral support materials offered free to purchasers of NicoDerm® CQ® patches, as a supplement to the nicotine patch and the standard brief User's Guide (UG) and audiotape. Callers to the CQP enrollment were randomized to either CQP ( n=1854) or just the UG ( n=1829). Abstinence and use of program materials were assessed by telephone interview at 6 and 12 weeks (the latter falling 2 weeks after patch use was to be discontinued). Considering all respondents, abstinence rates did not differ significantly between the UG and CQP groups. As expected, among those who reported they used their assigned materials (80.1% of the sample) smokers who received CQP demonstrated higher quit rates at both 6 weeks (38.8% v. 30.7%) and 12 weeks (18.2% v. 11.1%), compared to the UG group. Among those who used it, the Committed Quitters Program proved to be an effective behavioral treatment, improving quit rates over nicotine replacement therapy and a brief untailored written guide and audiotape.