Short- and long-term smoking cessation for three levels of intensity of behavioral treatment

Efficacy and costs of 3 levels of medical-behavioral treatment intensity in conjunction with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) were compared in 240 o ne-pack-a-day smokers: (a) a low-intensity (LI) group that received 8 weeks of NRT (n = 80) and 1 advice and education (A&E) session with a nurse prac titioner (NP) (b) a moderate-intensity (MI) group that was provided NRT and 4 A&E sessions with an NP (n = 80); and (c) a high-intensity (HI) group th at received treatment combining NRT, 4 A&E sessions, and 12 weeks of indivi dualized cognitive-behavioral therapy (n = 80). Biochemically confirmed abs tinence rates at 9, 26, and 52 weeks posttreatment initiation were highest for the HI (45%, 37%, 35%) group, followed by the LI (35%, 30%, and 27%) an d MI (27%, 12%, 12%) groups. Group differences approached statistical signi ficance at 9 weeks and were statistically significant at both 26 and 52 wee ks. The cost of LI treatment was $308, that of MI was $338, and the HI trea tment cost was $582.