Internet-based smoking cessation schemes focused on individual patients work the best
Internet-based smoking cessation support programmes that are tailored to the individual produce better results than generic programmes, a US study confirms.
The study involved 3,971 people who were monitored after they had purchased
NiQuitin CQ patches and logged on to an internet-based support programme.
Patients were randomised to a generic support programme or to a programme
tailored to the individual following completion of an online questionnaire.
Six weeks after stopping smoking, 29 per cent of the participants following
the tailored programme reported continued abstinence from smoking versus
23.9 per cent in the generic group (odds ratio 1.3, P=0.0006). At 12
weeks follow up, the abstinence rates were 22.8 per cent versus 18.1
per cent, respectively (OR 1.34, P=0.0006).
The researchers say that the effects on smoking cessation from the tailored
plan were above any effects related to nicotine patch use.
They acknowledge limitations to their study, including the fact that
the tailored plan had more points of interaction with the user, the follow
up period was relatively short and claims of abstinence could not be
verified biochemically. However, they conclude that tailored internet-based
programmes used in conjunction with nicotine replacement therapy can
improve short-term smoking cessation rates (Addiction 2005;100:682). |
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