The efficacy of computer-delivered treatment for smoking cessation

Abstract

Background: The current study evaluated the efficacy of an individualized, hand-held computer-delivered treatment (CDT) versus standard treatment (ST) for the maintenance of smoking abstinence following a quit attempt. Methods: Participants were 303 adult daily smokers randomized to CDT or ST, plus pharmacotherapy. Abstinence though 1 year was examined using logistic random intercept models, a type of generalized linear mixed model regression. Results: Results did not support the efficacy of the CDT program through 1 year postquit in analyses adjusted for time and study site (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.55-1.30), or after further adjusting for race/ethnicity, age, gender, education, marital status, and the number of cigarettes smoked per day before quitting (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.57-1.39). Conclusions: CDT did not increase short- or long-term abstinence rates over ST in this study. Impact: Findings differ from some in the literature and suggest the need for continued research on the use of CDT for smoking cessation. ©2011 AACR.