“Comparing Two web-based Smoking Cessation Programs: Randomized-Controlled Trial”

By:McKay et. Al

Authors believe that internet smoking cessation programs have potential to be an innovative and easy to use smoking cessation aid.

Also wanted to test cognitive behavioral program and examine its efficacy.

Recent studies only have short follow-up intervals.

Goal: To determine the effectiveness of an online smoking cessation program as compared with a general health/exercise program adjusted to include smoking.

Two web-based smoking cessation programs QSN (Quit Smoking Network) – cognitive behavioral

strategies Active Lives – Control exercise group

Measures Post-program evaluation of smoking at 3 months and 6

months Questionnaires about Self-Efficacy, Program usability,

and support

IV – QSN vs. Active Lives group DV – Number of times program was acessed /

Smoking at three and six months post-program

Contrary to hypothesis, no significant between programs effectiveness at quitting smoking 3 and 6 months after program.

Participants in QSN group did spend more time with the program and rated it higher on usability.

Possible confounds: limited access (averaging one time a day) Material could possibly be forgotten easily due to

limited access

Potentially replace cognitive therapy with behavioral measures instead. Cue identification

Researchers suggest finding a way to increase participant engagement

Researchers also experienced a 55% attrition rate at 6 months making follow-ups less accurate.

“Concurrent Drinking and Smoking Among College Students”

By:Witkiewitz et. al.

Association between drinking and smoking habits among college-aged students 98% of student smokers report alcohol use Few studies of concurrence of behaviors

More drinks per cigarette smoked and vice-versa

Potential dopaminergic reward system overlap

Purpose: to evaluate potential contextual behavior effects of smoking and drinking

Look for applications to current treatment programs to see if drinking behavior is sufficiently explored in smoking cessation programs

111 college age students asked to keep a 21 day diary of smoking and drinking habits Had 4-5 drinks in one drinking session in the

past month Replied to text/e-mail surveys three times a

day and at participant’s will dependent on behavior

Individuals at parties are 3.57 times more likely to smoke cigarettes; 2.17 times more likely at bar Even stronger correlations with daily smokers

Increase in both behaviors respectively after engaging in the first Drinking leads to increased desire to smoke

and vice-versa

Also more likely to drink more and smoke more cigarettes if both behaviors are engaged in

Discussion section suggests focus on social cues as a potential cause of relapse for smoking.

“Effects of Brief Cognitive Intervention Aimed at Communicating the Negative

Reinforcement Explanation for Smoking on Relevant Cognitions and Urges to Smoke”

By:McDermott, Marteau, and Hajek

Current model of cessation programs is withdrawal symptom management (Nicotine dependence)

Unchanged levels of smoking in the UK (22%)

Taking smokers already in cessation programs

Randomly select individuals to take an additional cognitive intervention focused on negative reinforcement (smoking to remove anxiety)

IV – Control group vs. Experimental group Control = video on the health effects of

smoking Experimental = negative reinforcement

explanation of smoking

DV – Likert scales on urges to smoke and strength of urges 1 week after smoking

Patients had access to different nicotine addiction medications (potential confound)

No significant difference between groups.

Although the negative reinforcement intervention program was preferred, cognitive intervention did not seem to inhibit urge to smoke.

Potential Confounds Only consisted of one session with one week

in between assessment Information could have been easily forgotten

by participants

Discussion Patients with higher education levels may

benefit more from the cognitive intervention

McDermott, M. S., Marteau, T. M., & Hajek, P. (2011). Effects of a brief cognitive

intervention aimed at communicating the negative reinforcement explanation for smoking on relevant cognitions and urges to

smoke. Journal Of Smoking Cessation, 6(2), 112-118. doi:10.1375/jsc.6.2.112

McKay, H., Danaher, B. G., Seeley, J. R., Lichtenstein, E., & Gau, J. M. (2008). Comparing two web-based smoking cessation programs: Randomized controlled trial. Journal Of Medical Internet Research, 10(5), 68-81. doi:10.2196

Witkiewitz, K., Desai, S. A., Steckler, G., Jackson, K. M., Bowen, S., Leigh, B. C., & Larimer, M. E. (2012). Concurrent drinking and smoking among college students: An event-level analysis. Psychology Of Addictive Behaviors, 26(3), 649-654. doi:10.1037/a0025363