The efficacy of computer-tailored smoking cessation material as a supplement to nicotine polacrilex gum therapy

Background Standard, generic self-help materials have been largely ineffect ive as behavioral treatments for smoking cessation. In contrast, self-help programs tailored to the needs of specific smokers have shown promise in fa cilitating quitting. Objective: To evaluate the incremental efficacy of the Committed Quitters P rogram (CQP), a set of computer-tailored materials offered to purchasers of nicotine polacrilex gum, compared with a brief untailored user's guide and audiotape, both as supplements to nicotine replacement therapy Methods: We conducted a randomized, open-label trial with 3 parallel arms. Subjects were smokers who purchased 2- or 4-mg nicotine polacrilex gum and called the CQP toll-free enrollment line. Three thousand six hundred twenty -seven subjects consented to participate in 1 of 3 study arms: (1) those re ceiving the CQP materials (CQP group, n=1217), (2) those receiving CQP mate rials and an outbound telephone call (CQP + C group, n=1207); and (3) those receiving no supplemental intervention beyond the user's guide and audio t ape that were prepackaged with the nice tine polacrilex gum (UG group, n=12 03). Twenty-eight-day continuous abstinence rates were assessed by telephon e interviews at 6 weeks and 10-week continuous rates at 12 weeks into treat ment. Results: Abstinence rates among respondents at the 6- and 12-week assessmen ts were significantly higher for the CQP (36.2% and 27.6%) and CQP + C (35. 5%, and 27.3%) groups compared with the UG group (24.7% and 17.7%) at both intervals. The quit rates for the CQP and CQP + C groups were almost identi cal. Conclusions: The CQP proved to be an effective behavioral treatment, Enhanc ing quit rates over and above nicotine replacement therapy and a brief unta ilored written guide and audiotape.