A multicentre randomized trial of combined individual and telephone counselling for smoking cessation.

OBJECTIVE: The present study assessed the effectiveness of smoking cessation programs combining individual and telephone counselling, compared to individual or telephone counselling alone. METHOD: A randomized, multicentre, open-label trial was performed between January 2009 and July 2011 at six smoking cessation clinics in Spain. Of 772 smokers assessed for eligibility, 600 (77%) met inclusion criteria and were randomized. Smokers were randomized to receive individual counselling, combined telephone and individual counselling, or telephone counselling. The primary outcome was biochemically validated continuous abstinence at 52 weeks. RESULTS: The 52-week abstinence rate was significantly lower in the telephone group compared to the combined group (20.1% vs. 29.0%; OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.1-2.7) and to the individual counselling group (20.1% vs. 27.9%; OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.0-2.8). The 52-week abstinence rates were not significantly higher in the combined group than the individual group (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.7-1.4). CONCLUSION: Individual counselling and combined individual and telephone counselling were associated with higher 52-week abstinence rates than telephone counselling alone. A combined approach may be highly useful in the clinical treatment of smokers, as it involves less clinic visits than individual counselling alone, thus reducing the program cost, and it increases patient compliance compared to telephone counselling alone.

Seguimiento y control de pacientes fumadores en proceso de deshabituación mediante SMS. Una experiencia en e-salud / No disponible

El consumo de tabaco continúa siendo una importante causa de morbilidad y mortalidad. El proceso terapéutico para abandonar el tabaco consiste en la desintoxicación física de la nicotina y en el mantenimiento de la abstinencia de su consumo. Nuestro estudio se sitúa en este contexto, ofreciendo una estrategia de apoyo por SMS y monitorizando al paciente a lo largo del tratamiento. Material y método. Este estudio longitudinal compara dos grupos de pacientes: uno con apoyo a través de SMS y otro, de control, que no disfruta de dicho apoyo. Los pacientes recibieron aleatoriamente mensajes de apoyo y refuerzo positivo, así como preguntas sobre su estado. El resto de la terapia es igual para ambos grupos. Resultados. El grupo que recibía apoyo por SMS presentó unas tasas de abstinencia mejores que el otro (57,1% frente a 42,9%). Los mismos participantes valoran positivamente la metodología y admiten que les ahorra tiempo y viajes. Conclusión. El uso de las TIC para monitorizar y reforzar el proceso de desintoxicación del consumo de tabaco parece ser efectivo y bien acogido por los pacientes

Tobacco consumption continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The therapeutic process of giving up smoking consists of the physical detoxification of nicotine as well as maintaining abstinence from its consumption. Our study lies in this context, offering a strategy by means of SMS support and monitoring patients throughout their treatment. Material and method. This longitudinal study compares two groups of patients, one with support via SMS and a control group without this support. Patients randomly received support messages and positive reinforcement as well as questions about their status. The rest of the therapy is equal in both groups. Results. The abstinence rates obtained among the group with SMS support were better than those of the other group (57.1% as opposed to 42.9%). They themselves value the methodology successfully, recognizing that it saves time and travel. Conclusion. The use of ICT in the monitoring and support of the detoxification process of tobacco consumption appears to be effective and well accepted by patients