Biomedical subjects

M H Ussher

Publications and source records attributed to M H Ussher.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Exercise interventions for smoking cessation.

BACKGROUND: Taking exercise may help people give up smoking by moderating the effects of nicotine withdrawal. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether exercise-based interventions combined with a smoking cessation programme are more effective than a smoking cessation intervention alone. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched The Cochrane Tobacco Addiction group specialised register for studies including the terms 'exercise' or 'physical activity' in February 2000. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised trials comparing an exercise programme as an adjunct to a cessation programme with a cessation programme alone, recruiting smokers or recent quitters, and with a follow-up of 6 months or more. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted data on study characteristics and smoking outcomes. Because of differences in studies we summarised the results narratively, making no attempt at meta-analysis. MAIN RESULTS: We identified eight trials, six of which had fewer than 25 people in each treatment arm. They varied in the timing and intensity of the smoking cessation and exercise programmes. Only one trial showed a significant benefit from the exercise programme at long term follow-up. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Only one of the eight trials offered evidence for exercise aiding smoking cessation but the other trials were too small to exclude reliably an effect of intervention. Trials are needed with larger sample sizes, equal contact control conditions, tailored and lifestyle exercise programmes and measures of exercise adherence.

Exercise↗

PubMed2000

Does exercise aid smoking cessation? A systematic review.

AIMS: To assess the effectiveness of exercise-based interventions in smoking cessation. DESIGN: A systematic review was conducted of articles published between 1980 and 1999. The review focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which the specific effects of exercise on smoking abstinence were examined. The primary dependent variable was smoking abstinence. Other studies which had both exercise programming as an independent variable and smoking behaviour as a dependent variable are briefly discussed. PARTICIPANTS: The review included interventions targeting both healthy individuals and those with specific medical conditions. SETTINGS: The interventions were delivered in both community and inpatient settings. MEASUREMENTS: Information extracted from each article included details of the participants, exercise and smoking cessation programmes, control conditions, exercise adherence rates, length of follow-up and outcomes. FINDINGS: Of the eight trials satisfying our inclusion criteria, only two trials found a positive effect for exercise on smoking abstinence. The others showed no effect. CONCLUSIONS: There is some evidence for exercise aiding smoking cessation. Of the two trials finding a positive effect one was rigorously designed, the other was found to have numerous methodological limitations. Trials showing no effect lacked sensitivity. This was principally because of small sample sizes and inadequate measurement and control of exercise adherence. There is a need for more rigorously designed studies in this area.

Exercise↗