title: The effects of sensory deprivation on cigarette craving and smoking behaviour.
abstract: Seventy two heavy smokers were treated by means of either 6, 12 or 24 hours of sensory deprivation, or by 24 hours of social isolation. There was a significant linear trend relating time in confinement to reduction in mean post-treatment smoking rate. A measure of cigarette craving while confined did not predict treatment outcome. Craving while confined for 24 hours exhibited a cubic trend, indicating a diurnal rhythm. Differences between the two 24 hour conditions were nonsignificant, but suggested that social isolation may be therapeutically preferable to sensory deprivation.
mesh_terms: D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012683:Sensory Deprivation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012931:Social Environment; D012934:Social Isolation