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Comparative Study
. 2002:(3):CD001292.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001292.

Individual behavioural counselling for smoking cessation

T Lancaster  1 , L F Stead
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Individual behavioural counselling for smoking cessation

T Lancaster et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002.

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Abstract

Background: Individual counselling from a smoking cessation specialist may help smokers to make a successful attempt to stop smoking.

Objectives: The objective of the review is to determine the effects of individual counselling.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group trials register for studies with counsel* in any field. Date of the most recent search: February 2002.

Selection criteria: Randomised or quasi-randomised trials with at least one treatment arm consisting of face to face individual counselling from a health care worker not involved in routine clinical care. The outcome was smoking cessation at follow-up at least six months after the start of counselling.

Data collection and analysis: Both reviewers extracted data. The intervention and population, method of randomisation and completeness of follow-up were recorded.

Main results: We identified eighteen trials. Fifteen compared individual counselling to a minimal intervention, four compared different types or intensities of counselling. Individual counselling was more effective than control. The odds ratio for successful smoking cessation was 1.62 (95% confidence interval 1.35 to 1.94). We failed to detect a greater effect of intensive counselling compared to brief counselling (odds ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.61 to 1.56).

Reviewer's conclusions: Smoking cessation counselling can assist smokers to quit.

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