RESULTS OF 2 LEVELS OF ADJUNCTIVE TREATMENT USED WITH THE NICOTINE PATCH

The authors compared 9-, 16, 26-, and 52-week outcomes for two randoml y assigned groups of nicotine-dependent subjects: 1) nicotine patch pl us four smoking cessation sessions with a nurse-practitioner giving ad vice and instruction (n = 36; moderate-intensity condition, MI); or 2) the foregoing treatments plus 16 weekly individual cognitive/behavior al relapse-prevention therapy sessions (n = 33; high-intensity conditi on, HI). Patch completion rates were 69.7% in the HI group and 55.6% i n the MI group (NS). Self-reported abstinence rates at the four follow -up points were comparable for the two treatment groups; HI: 39%, 36%, 36%, and 36%; MI: 44%, 28%, 25%, and 28%, respectively. There was som e indication that MI patients with high nicotine dependence had lower abstinence rates than highly dependent HI patients.