The PAS study: a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a web-based multiple tailored smoking cessation programme and tailored counselling by practice nurses.
BACKGROUND
PAS (Personal Advice in Stopping smoking) combines two of the most effective smoking cessation interventions: multiple computer tailoring and tailored counselling by a practice nurse in the general practice.


METHODS
Since May 2009, practice nurses are recruiting smoking patients. Each practice nurse is asked to recruit 15 adult smokers who are willing to quit within 6months and have access to the Internet. Smokers can sign up for PAS through the PAS website and are then randomized into one of three groups receiving multiple tailoring and counselling (MTC), multiple tailoring (MT) or usual care (UC), respectively. All groups receive questionnaires at baseline, 2days after a set quit date and at 6weeks, 6months and 12months follow-up. The MT group receives tailored, iterative feedback letters at the first four measurements points. At 12months follow-up biochemical validation will take place amongst respondents reporting to have quit. The three groups will be compared with regard to quit attempt rate, point prevalence abstinence and continued abstinence by means of logistic multilevel regression analyses. Linear multilevel regression analyses will be used to compare the three groups regarding smoking related beliefs.


CONCLUSIONS
The present paper provides an extensive description of the development of PAS and of the design of the study towards its effectiveness. This might provide insight into PAS' potentially effective working mechanisms. The results concerning effectiveness may contribute to knowledge about the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions aimed at smoking adults.


BACKGROUND
Dutch Trial Register NTR1351.
Smit
Eline S
ES
Department of Health Promotion, School for Public Health and Primary Care (Caphri), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. es.smit@gvo.unimaas.nl
de Vries
Hein
H
Hoving
Ciska
C
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D016015:Logistic Models; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009426:Netherlands; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012107:Research Design; D018401:Sample Size; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires