Evaluation of the Amount of Therapist Contact in a Smoking Cessation Program

This research tested a multicomponent self-help manual that contained nicotine fading and sorne behavioral techniques. It also evaluated Ihe incremental effects of using higher amounts of therapist coníact on quitíing tales. 114 smokers were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: (1) A 10-session multicomponent program (n = 25); (2) a 5-session mulricomponenr program (u 31); (3) a 5-session multicomponenr plus a self-help manual program (o = 25); and (4) a self-help-manual-only program (u 33). A control group (a 48) did not receive any treatment. The distinetive characteristie of the trentment.s was Ihe different amounl of therapist contad. Common components of Ihe programs were a refundable deposil, self-monitoring, information on smoking, stimulus control, CO feedback, nicoúne fading, and sirategies to avoid withdrawal symptoms. End-of-treatment quit rates ranged from 36 % (self-hetp manual) fo 68 % (10-sessíon multicornponent program). Ar 12-nionth follow-up diere were significant differences beíween groups, aod tbe niost effective group was [he.~5-sessionplus manual group, witl, mi abstinence tate of 48%. KeyKe ~ words: smoking, n~uldcomponcnt progrwn, behoviorcd, self-hel