A pilot randomised trial to assess the methods and procedures for evaluating the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Exercise Assisted Reduction then Stop (EARS) among disadvantaged smokers

Abstract

Declared competing interests of authors: PA has been a consultant and done research for manufacturers of smoking-cessation products. RW has undertaken research and consultancy for companies that develop and manufacture smoking-cessation medications. He is co-director of the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training and a trustee of the stop-smoking charity, QUIT. He has a share of a patent on a novel nicotine delivery device. All other authors have declared no competing interests.

Factors associated with study attrition in a pilot randomised controlled trial to explore the role of exercise-assisted reduction to stop (EARS) smoking in disadvantaged groups

“…Recruitment took place in the neighbourhoods of Devonport and Stonehouse (Plymouth, UK), which are among the 3 % most deprived areas in the UK. The recruitment methods, factors influencing recruitment, and baseline characteristics of the sample, have been reported elsewhere [54]. In summary, 99 adult moderate to heavy smokers, who wanted to reduce smoking (without nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)) but had no plans to quit in the next month, were recruited by either a mailed invitation from their general practitioner or NHS Stop Smoking Services (SSS), with follow-up telephone calls, or through other community approaches.…”

An Exploratory Analysis of the Smoking and Physical Activity Outcomes From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of an Exercise Assisted Reduction to Stop Smoking Intervention in Disadvantaged Groups

“…Those in both arms of the study wishing to make a quit attempt throughout the study period were encouraged to seek the support of specialist stop smoking services. Full details of the intervention and uptake of SSS can be found in the trial's main report 34 . The primary end point was at 16 weeks post baseline for the majority of outcomes, except for data on 4 week post-quit expired air carbon monoxide (CO) confirmed abstinence which was collected at the appropriate time as participants were free to make a quit attempt at any time point in the study.…”

Exercise to Enhance Smoking Cessation: the Getting Physical on Cigarette Randomized Control Trial

“…Supervised exercise was offered prior to the quit date at week 4 because exercise and smoking are not compatible behaviours, thus providing smokers the opportunity to replace a harmful behaviour with one that is beneficial. Exercise can be seen as a gateway to smoking cessation, which is supported by previous research [31][32][33][48][49][50] which did not instruct participants to decrease cigarette consumption before their quit date (approximately 3-4 weeks away). The decision to start the NRT program at week 4 was based on two considerations.…”