Jonathan Foulds, Susan Veldheer and Shari Hrabovsky
Presenter(s)
Professor Jonathan Foulds Professor of Public Health Sciences and Psychiatry, Penn State University, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA
Abstract
This study assessed effects of baseline motivational spirometry-based "Lung Age" feedback on treatment compliance and tobacco abstinence at 28-day follow-up.
METHODS:
This randomized controlled pilot study took place in Penn State University-affiliated outpatient medical practices. Participants were 225 adult smokers (≥5 cigarettes/day) willing to attend tobacco dependence treatment. At assessment lung function (FEV-1) and exhaled carbon-monoxide (CO) were assessed. The Intervention group (n=120) were randomly allocated to receive motivational "Lung Age" feedback estimated by FEV-1 and on exhaled CO; Control group (n=105) received minimal feedback. Participants were offered 6 weekly group smoking cessation sessions and nicotine patches and followed-up 28 days after target quit date. The primary outcome measure was self-reported 7-day tobacco abstinence, confirmed by CO<10ppm at 28-day follow-up.
RESULTS:
Quit rates were similar at follow-up (Intervention 50.8%; Control 52.4%; p=0.65). Group attendance and patch use were similar. Among those attending follow-up (n=164, 73%), a greater proportion of the Intervention group had improved lung function (67% vs. 46%; p=0.0083).
CONCLUSIONS:
Baseline Lung Age feedback did not improve quit rates or compliance at 28-day follow-up in smokers seeking intensive treatment.
Source of funding: This study was funded by internal funds from Penn State Cancer Institute.
Declaration of interest: Jonathan Foulds does consulting for pharma companies that develop and market smoking cessation medicines.
