Thomas Heffernan Senior Lecturer, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Abstract
Background: Smokers, previous smokers and a never smoked group were compared on self-reported and objective prospective memory measures (PM – the ability of remembering to carry out particular actions at some future point in time).
Methods: Twenty-one current smokers, 20 people who had never smoked and 16 previous smokers were compared using an existing groups design. Scores on the long- and short-term PM subscales of the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) and scores on the Cambridge Prospective Memory Task (CAMPROMPT) constituted the dependent measures. Smoking and other drug use were assessed by a Drug Use Questionnaire. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale gauged levels of anxiety/depression). The National Adult Reading Test measured IQ.
Results: A series of univariate ANCOVAs (controlling for age, alcohol use, IQ and mood) revealed no significant between-group differences on self-reported short or long term PM; however smokers recalled significantly fewer item on CAMPROMPT when compared to both never-smokers and previous smokers, with the previous smokers recalling fewer items than the never-smokers.
Conclusions: Existing smokers showed reduced performance on objective PM when compared to the never smoked group and previous smokers. Previous smokers showed improvements on objective PM, but not to the same level as the non-smokers.
