A. Picardi, S. Bertoldi, P. Morosini - Vol. 6, Dicembre 2000, num.4
Testo Immagini Bibliografia Summary Riassunto Indice
Trattamento comportamentale di gruppo per
la disassuefazione da nicotina:
uno studio di follow-up a 6, 12 e 24 mesi su un campione di 1.060 soggetti
Behavioural group intervention for smoking cessation: a long-term follow-up
study of 1,060 subjects
ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of a behavioural group intervention for smoking cessation, which included as its most original feature the recommendation to participate with a relative or close friend.
Methods
A total of 1060 subjects entered the program, which consisted of 9 group
sessions over a period of five weeks. The intervention included various techniques,
such as stimulus control, relaxation, skills training, and social support.
About two thirds of participants came with a relative or close friend. Long-term
abstinence from smoking was assessed with follow-up telephone interviews.
Results
Very few subjects were lost at follow-ups (9.2% at six months, 9.7% at
one year, 10.8% at two years). The observed quit rates were 42.6% at six months,
35.5% at one year, and 32% at two years. When considering as smokers all subjects
who were lost at follow-ups, quit rates were also satisfactory (38.7% at six
months, 32.1% at one year, and 28.6% at two years). The main predictors of
a good outcome were being male, smoking less than 20 cigarettes per day, having
started smoking after 18 years of age, having made previous quitting attempts,
having not a history of unsuccessful participation to smoking cessation interventions,
and attending the sessions with a relative or close friend.
Discussion
The intervention was among the most effective. The inclusion of a relative
or close friend appeared to be a useful component of the intervention. This
simple and inexpensive strategy may deserve recommendation, though in the
future it should be tested in controlled trials.