Smoking cessation in chronically ill medical patients
Generate an AI Snapshot to get a quick, structured summary of this paper.
A concise AI-generated summary of the paper will appear here once you click Generate AI Snapshot.
TL;DR
The availability of non-aversive strategies for smoking cessation in persons with chronic illness is important and the need for additional applications of multi-component behavioral approaches with this population of smokers is indicated.
Abstract
Eight male smokers with chronic pulmonary and/or cardiac disease participated in a 9-week treatment program that consisted of gradual nicotine withdrawal, self-management techniques, and relapse prevention strategies. At 1-year follow-up, 50% remained abstinent, while those who relapsed were smoking substantially less than prior to treatment. Reductions in CO and thiocyanate levels were both statistically significant and clinically meaningful. Nonspecific factors of group influence and support, as well as weekly feedback of CO levels, were judged as particularly important components of treatment. The availability of non-aversive strategies for smoking cessation in persons with chronic illness is important. These promising though preliminary findings indicate the need for additional applications of multi-component behavioral approaches with this population.