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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2018 Nov 12;6(1):53.
doi: 10.1186/s40359-018-0266-8.

A dyadic planning intervention to quit smoking in single-smoking couples: design of a randomized controlled trial

Anne H Buitenhuis  1 , Marrit A Tuinman  2 , Mariët Hagedoorn  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A dyadic planning intervention to quit smoking in single-smoking couples: design of a randomized controlled trial

Anne H Buitenhuis et al. BMC Psychol. .

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use is the largest preventable cause of death. Smoking cessation interventions that use implementation intentions show promising results. Implementation intentions are if-then plans that specify a certain behaviour within a situational context. This study will examine whether involving a non-smoking partner could improve planning interventions, and whether and which partner interactions underlie this effectiveness.

Methods: This single-blind randomized controlled trial has a longitudinal design with a baseline questionnaire, end-of-day measurements for three weeks starting on the quit date, and a follow-up questionnaire after three months.

Participants: single-smoking couples who live together and are in a relationship for more than one year.

Setting: couples are randomized to either a dyadic or individual planning condition. After the intervention the smoker attempts to quit smoking and the diary measurements start.

Measurements: The primary outcome variable is smoking abstinence. Secondary outcome measures are smoking behaviour and relationship satisfaction. Partner interactions are examined as a possible mediator.

Discussion: This RCT is the first to examine the effectiveness of dyadic planning to quit smoking in single-smoking couples. Partner interactions are thought to play an important role during the quit attempt, and therefore in the effectiveness of the intervention. This RCT will provide more insight into which daily partner interactions are beneficial for smoking abstinence and the couples' relationship satisfaction, and whether the type of intervention is related to different types or levels of partner interactions and smoking behaviour. When proven effective, this planning intervention in combination with coaching for the non-smoking partner will be a valuable and low-cost addition to existing smoking interventions.

Trial registration: The trial is retrospectively registered on 19/04/2017 on www.trialregister.nl ( TC: 6398 ).

Keywords: Couple; Diary; Dyadic; Ecological momentary assessment; Implementation intentions; Non-smoking partner; Randomized controlled trial; Relationship satisfaction; Smoking cessation; Tobacco.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Psychology of the University of Groningen (16237-O) and complies to the Dutch law on Medical Research involving human subjects. Participants have to give online informed consent, by actively ticking a box, before they can participate Additional file 1. This informed consent includes consent for publication. In case of important protocol modifications regarding outcome variables, the changes will be passed on to the trial register.

Consent for publication

Not applicable: no personal information is provided.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The proposed model with partner interactions as a mediator
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Participant timeline
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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