The efficacy of computer-tailored smoking cessation material as a supplement to nicotine patch therapy

Abstract

The study evaluated the efficacy of the Committed Quitters Program (CQP), a computer-tailored set of printed behavioral support materials offered free to purchasers of NicoDerm CQ patches, as a supplement to the nicotine patch and the standard brief User's Guide (UG) and audiotape. Callers to the CQP enrollment were randomized to either CQP (n=1854) or just the UG (n=1829). Abstinence and use of program materials were assessed by telephone interview at 6 and 12 weeks (the latter falling 2 weeks after patch use was to be discontinued). Considering all respondents, abstinence rates did not differ significantly between the UG and CQP groups. As expected, among those who reported they used their assigned materials (80.1% of the sample) smokers who received CQP demonstrated higher quit rates at both 6 weeks (38.8% v. 30.7%) and 12 weeks (18.2% v. 11.1%), compared to the UG group. Among those who used it, the Committed Quitters Program proved to be an effective behavioral treatment, improving quit rates over nicotine replacement therapy and a brief untailored written guide and audiotape.