title: Does extended telephone callback counselling prevent smoking relapse?
abstract: This randomized controlled trial tested whether extended callback counselling that proactively engaged ex-smokers with the task of embracing a smoke-free lifestyle (four to six calls delivered 1-3 months after quitting, i.e. when craving levels and perceived need for help had declined) could reduce relapse compared with a revised version of Quitline's standard service (four calls in the first month after quitting which focused primarily on the task of helping ex-smokers deal with daily cravings and now also systematically alerted clients to the upcoming task of adapting to life as a non-smoker). One thousand and four hundred and forty-four smokers or recent ex-smokers were randomized at recruitment: 734 usual care and 710 intervention. An inclusion criterion of subsequently quitting for at least 1 week gave 346 usual care and 352 intervention participants. Seventy-four per cent of intervention participants accepted extra calls and received 4.3 on average but only 1.7 more post-quitting calls than usual care group. No significant differences were found between extended contact and usual care groups on continuous abstinence (both 27% at 12 months) or any other cessation outcome. The tasks of quitting framework introduced in preparation for the trial might have contributed to service improvement in relapse prevention (10% increased quit rate compared with an earlier trial). However, the extra sessions did not provide any benefit.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Control Research Institute, Cancer Council Victoria, 1 Rathdowne Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia. csegan@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Segan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Borland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013689:Telephone