Motivational Interviewing in an ordinary clinical setting: A controlled clinical trial at the Swedish National Tobacco Quitline

AbstractIntroductionThe present study aimed to assess the effect of adding Motivational Interviewing (MI) to the first session of an effective smoking cessation treatment protocol in an ordinary clinical setting: the Swedish National Tobacco Quitline (SNTQ).MethodThe study was designed as a controlled clinical trial. Between September 2005 and October 2006, 772 clients accepted the invitation to participate in the study and were semi-randomised to either standard treatment (ST) or MI. The primary outcome measures were self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence and 6-month continuous abstinence.ResultsAt 12-month follow-up, the 772 clients were included in an intention to treat analysis. Of the clients allocated to MI, 57/296 (19%) reported 6-month continuous abstinence compared to 66/476 (14%) of the clients allocated to ST (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.00–2.19; P=.047).ConclusionsIntegrating MI into a cognitive behavioural therapy-based smoking cessation counselling in an ordinary clinical setting at a tobacco quitline increased client 6-month continuous abstinence rates by 5%