title: Internet-based group contingency management to promote abstinence from cigarette smoking: a feasibility study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In contingency management (CM) interventions, monetary consequences are contingent on evidence of drug abstinence. Typically, these consequences are contingent on individual performance. Consequences contingent on group performance may promote social support (e.g., praise).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thus, to combine social support with the monetary incentives of CM, we integrated independent and interdependent group contingencies of reinforcement into an Internet-based intervention to promote smoking abstinence. Breath carbon monoxide (CO) measures were compared between treatment conditions and a baseline control condition. Thirteen participants were divided into 5 groups or "teams" (n=2-3 per team). Each participant submitted video recordings of CO measurement twice daily via the Internet. Teammates could monitor each other's progress and communicate with one another through an online peer support forum. During a 4-day tapering condition, vouchers exchangeable for goods were contingent on gradual reductions in breath CO. During a 10-day abstinence induction condition, vouchers were contingent on abstinence (CO≤4ppm). In both treatment conditions, concurrent independent and interdependent group contingencies were arranged (i.e., a mixed contingency arrangement).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Less than 1% of CO samples submitted during baseline were≤4ppm, compared to 57% submitted during abstinence induction. Sixty-five percent of participants' comments on the online peer support forum were rated as positive by independent observers. Participants rated the intervention favorably on a treatment acceptability questionnaire.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that the intervention is feasible and acceptable for promoting abstinence from cigarette smoking.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. stevenem@ufl.edu
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Meredith
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Grabinski
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dallery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012201:Reward; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013997:Time Factors; D014743:Videotape Recording; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002248:Carbon Monoxide