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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2008 Winter;41(4):527-38.
doi: 10.1901/jaba.2008.41-527.

Voucher-based contingent reinforcement of smoking abstinence among methadone-maintained patients: a pilot study

Kelly E Dunn  1 , Stacey C Sigmon, Colleen S Thomas, Sarah H Heil, Stephen T Higgins
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Voucher-based contingent reinforcement of smoking abstinence among methadone-maintained patients: a pilot study

Kelly E Dunn et al. J Appl Behav Anal. 2008 Winter.

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of a contingency management (CM) intervention to promote smoking cessation in methadone-maintained patients. Twenty participants, randomized into contingent (n=10) or noncontingent (n=10) experimental conditions, completed the 14-day study. Abstinence was determined using breath carbon monoxide and urine cotinine levels. Contingent participants received voucher-based incentives for biochemical evidence of smoking abstinence. Noncontingent participants earned vouchers independent of smoking status. Contingent participants achieved significantly more smoking abstinence and longer durations of continuous smoking abstinence than did noncontingent participants. These results support the potential efficacy of using voucher-based CM to promote smoking cessation among methadone-maintained patients.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentages of total biochemically abstinent samples, collapsed over Days 1 through 14 and shown by group, are presented for contingent and noncontingent groups (open bars). Percentages of negative samples, collapsed across Days 1 through 14 and shown for individual participants in the contingent (filled circles) and noncontingent (open circles) groups.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Longest duration of continuous biochemical abstinence (in days) achieved during the 14-day intervention is shown for the contingent and noncontingent groups (open bars). Brackets show SEM. Number of days of longest continuous abstinence is presented for individual participants in the contingent (filled circles) and noncontingent (open circles) groups.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Additional measures of smoking on a daily basis are shown for the contingent (filled circles) and noncontingent (open circles) groups across the 14-day intervention and at 30-, 60-, and 90-day follow-ups. Percentages of total abstinent samples at each visit are shown for both groups (top). Mean CO levels at each visit are shown for both groups (middle). Mean cotinine values at each visit are shown for both groups (bottom). Statistical differences (p < .05) are indicated by an asterisk, and brackets indicate SEM.
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