Efficacy of a single computer-tailored e-mail for smoking cessation: results after 6 months

Abstract

To date, few Internet-delivered smoking cessation interventions have been tested. This study tested the efficacy, understandability, credibility and personal relevance of an e-mail-delivered computer-tailored smoking cessation intervention. It included tailored action plan feedback, as recent studies have demonstrated the importance of planning in facilitating quitting smoking. Participants (Dutch adults) were randomly assigned to the intervention (computer-tailored e-mail; N = 224) or the control group (generic, non-tailored e-mail; N = 234). The results 6 months after baseline (N = 195) showed that significantly more participants in the intervention group reported not having smoked in the last 24 hours (21.5%) and 7 days (20.4%) in contrast with participants in the control group (9.8 and 7.8%, respectively). Intention-to-treat analyses revealed similar results, though overall lower quitting percentages. Furthermore, participants in the intervention group appreciated the computer-tailored e-mail significantly more in terms of understandability, credibility and personal relevance. Hence, the computer-tailored intervention is effective for the Dutch smoking population motivated to quit smoking. Further research is needed into the efficacy of the intervention for smokers who are not motivated to quit smoking and into the benefits of (multiple) e-mail-delivered tailored letters with tailored action plan feedback over and above tailoring without action plan feedback.

Process Evaluation of the First Computer Tailored Program for Smoking Cessation among Romanian Smokers

“…Similar with other studies (Diskstra et al, 1998;Te Poel et al, 2009;Smit et al, 2012), around 19% of the participants did not fill in the process evaluation questionnaire and the results are based only on self reported data. The intervention did not provide medical treatment, only counselling, but it offered information about way they could get more medical advice and help.…”

“…The tailored intervention was based on previously developed computer-tailored smoking cessation interventions (Diskstra et al, 1998;Te Poel et al, 2009;Smit et al, 2012) while the I-Change model served as the theoretical framework (De Vries et al, 2003). A library with messages which might be needed was created.…”

“…After filling in the questionnaire, feedback messages were selected from the library of messages developed previously based on the characteristics of each participant. Feedback messages were tailored to several respondent characteristics (Diskstra et al, 1998;Te Poel et al, 2009;Smit et al, 2012): gender, cognitive variables (attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy), intention to quit smoking, goal and relapse prevention strategies (action and coping plans), and smoking behaviour. Feedback messages were combined into one personalized 9 to 11 pages letter.…”

“…Finally, respondents were asked to assign a grade between 1 and 5 for the information they received. The content of the questionnaire was based on previous studies (Te Poel et al, 2009). …”

Is it cost‐effective to provide internet‐based interventions to complement the current provision of smoking cessation services in the Netherlands? An analysis based on the EQUIPTMOD

“…Consistent with trial‐based economic evaluations of internet‐based smoking cessation interventions 15, 17, 24, 55, this study showed some benefits of using such interventions in the short term. It is important, however, to note that trial‐based studies may not capture long term cost‐effectiveness, as the impact of cessation may need longer than a 12‐month follow‐up to improve QALYs of the ex‐smokers 24, 56.…”