Smoke into Sound: A pilot randomised controlled trial of a music cravings management program for chronic smokers attempting to quit

Abstract

Chronic smokers display greater cravings and higher dependence on nicotine than smokers who successfully quit, which indicates a need for novel interventions that address cravings. Smoke into Sound is an online interactive program that uses personalised music-listening to assist participants to manage emotional states and cravings that act as cues for their smoking. This study describes a pilot randomised trial of Smoke into Sound (MUSIC) in comparison to current best practice cognitive behaviour therapy programs delivered online and by telephone (CBTE) or by telephone only (CBTT). Participants were 55 chronic smokers aged 18 to 66 years (45% females) who completed an online questionnaire before being randomly assigned to one of the three conditions: MUSIC, CBTE or CBTT. The 38 participants remaining 6 weeks later completed a post-program online questionnaire to assess smoking status; craving strength; self-efficacy for cessation; and confidence in regulating emotions without smoking. Almost half (45%) of the sample had stopped smoking at the post-program assessment, with similar proportions of participants in each condition no longer smoking. Participants in the MUSIC and CBTE conditions had greater reductions in craving strength and improvements in emotion regulation than those in the CBTT. The findings indicate that chronic smokers responded equally well to the music emotion regulation strategies as to the CBT strategies for smoking cessation. Smoke into Sound is the first program to our knowledge that applies music psychology theory to an intervention for addictive behaviour.

Individual and interpersonal emotion regulation among adults with substance use disorders and matched controls

“…Emotion regulation treatment components are available – for example, from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT; Linehan, ), mindfulness‐based relapse prevention (e.g., Bowen et al ., ; Witkiewitz, Bowen, Douglas, & Hsu, ), acceptance and commitment therapy (see Lee, An, Levin, & Twohig, , for a review), affect regulation treatment for alcohol use disorder (e.g., Stasiewicz et al ., ), and emotion‐focused therapy (Greenberg, ). Another example is the stand‐alone emotion regulation program Tuned In (Dingle & Fay, ; Dingle, Hodges, & Kunde, ), which has been found to be effective at educating people with SUD how to use music to regulate their emotions and cravings for smoking and other substance use (Dingle & Carter, ; Dingle, Kelly, Flynn, & Baker, ).…”

Efficacy and Outcomes of a Music-Based Emotion Regulation Mobile App in Distressed Young People: Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The relationship between music and emotions has been harnessed in programs aimed at teaching emotion regulation skills to individuals with mental health problems in clinical and community settings, including eating disorders [38], anxiety disorders [39], substance misuse [40], and schizophrenia [41]. One example is the Tuned In group program, which uses hypothetical scenarios and participant-selected music to evoke emotions in sessions to increase emotional awareness and emotion regulation skills.…”

Written Advice Given by African American Smokers to Their Peers: Qualitative Study of Motivational Messages

“…Distraction techniques recommended by participants included physical activity and listening to music. Engaging in short bouts of physical activity is associated with a reduction in smoking cravings [ 27 , 28 ]. Listening to music helps participants manage emotional states and cravings that may act as cues to smoke [ 28 ].…”

“…Engaging in short bouts of physical activity is associated with a reduction in smoking cravings [ 27 , 28 ]. Listening to music helps participants manage emotional states and cravings that may act as cues to smoke [ 28 ]. Participants also suggested use of evidence-based treatment or cessation strategies such as nicotine replacement therapy.…”