Effectiveness of a computer-tailored smoking cessation program: a randomized trial.

J F Etter; T V Perneger

doi:10.1001/archinte.161.21.2596

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Effectiveness of a computer-tailored smoking cessation program: a randomized trial.

J F Etter·T V Perneger

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: From a public health perspective, prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases requires effective smoking cessation programs that can be used on a large scale. OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of a new computer-tailored smoking cessation program vs no intervention. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, September 20, 1998, to December 31, 1999. Potential participants were randomly selected from a general population register and recruited by mail. Daily cigarette smokers who wished to participate (N = 2934) were randomized to either the program or no intervention. A mean of 1.5 times per 6 months, participants in the active arm received by mail a computer-tailored counseling letter based on their answers to a questionnaire and stage-matched booklets. The counseling letters were tailored to the participants' stage of change (categorized as precontemplation [no intention of quitting smoking in the next 6 months], contemplation [seriously considers quitting in the next 6 months], or preparation [has decided to quit in the next 30 days]), level of tobacco dependence, self-efficacy, and personal characteristics. The outcome measure was self-reported abstinence (no puff of tobacco smoke in the past 4 weeks) 7 months after entry into the program. RESULTS: Abstinence was 2.6 times greater in the intervention group than in the control group (5.8% vs 2.2%, P<.001). The program was effective in "precontemplators" who were not motivated to quit smoking at baseline (intervention vs control, 3.8% vs 0.8%; P =.001) and was effective regardless of perceived difficulty in quitting smoking at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The program was effective in increasing smoking cessation rates. Because it can reach a large number of smokers, this program can substantially contribute to disease prevention at a population level.

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Adolescent Adult Aged Counseling Female Humans Male Middle Aged Multivariate Analysis Odds Ratio Program Evaluation Regression Analysis Smoking Cessation Therapy, Computer-Assisted Treatment Outcome Clinical Trial Journal Article Randomized Controlled Trial Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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J F Etter, T V Perneger. 2001-11-26. Effectiveness of a computer-tailored smoking cessation program: a randomized trial.. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.161.21.2596

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