Self-help cessation programs for smokeless tobacco users: Long-term follow-up of a randomized trial

Abstract

This paper presents long-term outcomes of the largest clinical trial of smokeless tobacco (SLT) cessation reported to date. SLT users in five northwestern states were recruited to call a toll-free number, and 1,069 users were randomized to one of two self-help conditions: either a manual-only condition or an assisted self-help condition, which included the manual, a targeted video, and two support phone calls. Significant between-group differences were not found for either the 12- or 18-month point-prevalence measure of abstinence from either SLT only or all tobacco products using outcomes based on either the responder or intention-to-treat outcomes. However, using a repeated point-prevalence measure across all three assessment points, we found that significantly more assisted self-help participants reported abstinence, compared with manual-only participants. Compared with manual-only participants, those in the assisted self-help condition were significantly more likely to use recommended cessation techniques. Results demonstrate that low-cost, minimal interventions delivered by mail and phone can help a sizable proportion of individuals quit using SLT.

Randomized controlled trial of the combined effects of Web and Quitline interventions for smokeless tobacco cessation

“…However, we found no additive or synergistic benefit of offering both the Web and Quitline interventions, as has been observed for smoking cessation (Graham et al, 2011). Although our abstinence rates for Quitline counseling are substantially higher than those typically reported for smoking cessation (Stead et al, 2013), the overall abstinence rates achieved in this trial for all groups – including the Control – are consistent with the results obtained in earlier smokeless tobacco cessation studies that used low intensity interventions (Ebbert, Severson, Croghan, Danaher, & Schroeder, 2009; Severson, Akers, Andrews, Lichtenstein, & Jerome, 2000; Severson, Andrews, Lichtenstein, Danaher, & Akers, 2007; Severson et al, 2008). …”

Randomized Controlled Trial of MyLastDip: A Web-Based Smokeless Tobacco Cessation Program for Chewers Ages 14-25

“…It is possible that the content we provided in our Basic Condition may have exceeded the boundaries of this treatment-as-usual model. For example, the Basic Condition provided participants with an online version of the best-practices ST cessation Enough Snuff guide (Severson & Gordon, 2005) that has proven efficacious when delivered in printed format (Severson, Akers, Andrews, Lichtenstein, & Jerome, 2000;Severson et al, 2007;.…”

A comparison of three smokeless tobacco dependence measures

“…Candidate items for this scale were drawn from the following sources: a version of the Fagerström scale used in previous studies (Severson, Andrews, Lichtenstein, Danaher, & Akers, 2007; Severson, et al, 2000); a 5-item version of the Cigarette Dependence Scale (CDS-5) (Etter, et al, 2003) we adapted for ST; items from subscales for stimulation, sedation, and morning use (Hudmon, et al, 2003) adapted for ST; and items representing behavioral and withdrawal facets of ST use created by the research team. The resulting 36-item scale was completed by 247 participants in an earlier ST cessation intervention who reported that they were still using ST (Severson, et al, 2000).…”