The efficacy of computer-tailored smoking cessation material as a supplement to nicotine polacrilex gum therapy.
BACKGROUND
Standard, generic self-help materials have been largely ineffective as behavioral treatments for smoking cessation. In contrast, self-help programs tailored to the needs of specific smokers have shown promise in facilitating quitting.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incremental efficacy of the Committed Quitters Program (CQP), a set of computer-tailored materials offered to purchasers of nicotine polacrilex gum, compared with a briefuntailored user's guide and audiotape, both as supplements to nicotine replacement therapy.


METHODS
We conducted a randomized, open-label trial with 3 parallel arms. Subjects were smokers who purchased 2- or 4-mg nicotine polacrilex gum and called the CQP toll-free enrollment line. Three thousand six hundred twenty-seven subjects consented to participate in 1 of 3 study arms: (1) those receiving the CQP materials (CQP group, n= 1,217), (2) those receiving CQP materials and an outbound telephone call (CQP + C group, n= 1,207); and (3) those receiving no supplemental intervention beyond the user's guide and audiotape that were prepackaged with the nicotine polacrilex gum (UG group, n= 1,203). Twenty-eight-day continuous abstinence rates were assessed by telephone interviews at 6 weeks and 10-week continuous rates at 12 weeks into treatment.


RESULTS
Abstinence rates among respondents at the 6- and 12-week assessments were significantly higher for the CQP (36.2% and 27.6%) and CQP + C (35.5% and 27.3%) groups compared with the UG group (24.7% and 17.7%) at both intervals. The quit rates for the CQP and CQP + C groups were almost identical.


CONCLUSIONS
The CQP proved to be an effective behavioral treatment, enhancing quit rates over and above nicotine replacement therapy and a brief untailored written guide and audiotape.
Shiffman
S
S
University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. shiffman@pinneyassociates.com
Paty
J A
JA
Rohay
J M
JM
Di Marino
M E
ME
Gitchell
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013689:Telephone; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices
D002638:Chewing Gum; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D011145:Polyvinyls; D009538:Nicotine