Abstract
Aims To examine variability and effectiveness of interventions provided to comparator (control) groups in smoking cessation trials.
Methods Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioral interventions for smoking cessation, with or without stop-smoking medication. We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialized Register for RCTs with objective outcomes measured at >= 6 months. Study authors were contacted to obtain comprehensive descriptions of their comparator interventions. Meta-regression analyses examined the relationships of smoking cessation rates with stop-smoking medication and behavior change techniques.
Results One hundred and four of 142 eligible comparator groups (n = 23 706) had complete data and were included in analyses. There was considerable variability in the number of behavior change techniques delivered [mean = 15.97, standard deviation (SD) = 13.54, range = 0-45] and the provision of smoking cessation medication (43% of groups received medication) throughout and within categories of comparator groups (e.g. usual care, brief advice). Higher smoking cessation rates were predicted by provision of medication [B = 0.334, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.030-0.638, P = 0.031] and number of behavior change techniques included (B = 0.020, 95% CI = 0.008-0.032, P <0.001). Modelled cessation rates in comparator groups that received the most intensive support were 15 percentage points higher than those that received the least (23 versus 8%).
Conclusions Interventions delivered to comparator groups in smoking cessation randomized controlled trials vary considerably in content, and cessation rates are strongly predicted by stop-smoking medication and number of behavior change techniques delivered.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1607-1617 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Addiction |
Volume | 115 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2020 |
Keywords
- Behavior change techniques
- comparator group
- control group
- meta-analysis
- meta-regression
- smoking cessation
- systematic review
- BEHAVIOR-CHANGE TECHNIQUES
- RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIALS
- META-REGRESSION
- ADHERENCE INTERVENTIONS
- PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY
- CARE
- STANDARD
- OUTCOMES
- MANAGEMENT
- CONSENSUS