The effectiveness of a standardized tobacco cessation program on psychophysiological parameters in patients with addiction undergoing long-term rehabilitation: a quasi-experimental pilot study

J Fuchshuber; H Schöber; M Wohlmuth; H Senra; C Rominger; A Schwerdtfeger; H F Unterrainer

doi:10.1186/s12916-024-03405-z

The effectiveness of a standardized tobacco cessation program on psychophysiological parameters in patients with addiction undergoing long-term rehabilitation: a quasi-experimental pilot study

BMC Med. 2024 May 1;22(1):184. doi: 10.1186/s12916-024-03405-z.

Authors

J Fuchshuber^{1

2}, H Schöber³, M Wohlmuth³, H Senra^{4

5}, C Rominger³, A Schwerdtfeger³, H F Unterrainer^{6

7

8

9

10}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
² Center for Integrative Addiction Research (CIAR), Grüner Kreis Society, Vienna, Austria.
³ Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
⁴ IEETA, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
⁵ School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
⁶ Center for Integrative Addiction Research (CIAR), Grüner Kreis Society, Vienna, Austria. human.unterrainer@univie.ac.at.
⁷ Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria. human.unterrainer@univie.ac.at.
⁸ University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria. human.unterrainer@univie.ac.at.
⁹ Department of Religious Studies, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. human.unterrainer@univie.ac.at.
¹⁰ Faculty of Psychotherapy Science, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria. human.unterrainer@univie.ac.at.

Abstract

Background: Although there is a very high comorbidity between tobacco dependence and other addictive disorders, there are only few studies examining the implementation and outcomes of a tobacco cessation program in patients with addictive diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate to what extent a standardized tobacco cessation program leads to improvements regarding psychological/physical parameters in patients with addiction undergoing therapy and whether there is a reduction in tobacco consumption.

Methods: The study took place in a therapeutic community specialized in addiction therapy. A total sample of 56 participants were non-randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 31) and a treatment as usual group (TAUG; n = 25). The IG participated in a 6-week tobacco cessation program, while the TAUG received no additional treatment. Both groups were assessed for changes in primary outcomes (tobacco dependence, smoked cigarettes per day (CPD), and general substance-related craving) and secondary outcomes (heart rate variability (HRV): root mean square of successive differences, self-efficacy, and comorbid psychiatric symptoms) at two measurement time points (pre- and post-treatment/6 weeks).

Results: We observed significant improvements in self-efficacy (F_(1,53) = 5.86; p < .05; η_p² = .11) and decreased CPD in the IG (β = 1.16, ρ < .05), while no significant changes were observed in the TAUG. No significant interaction effects were observed in psychiatric symptoms, general substance-related craving, and HRV.

Conclusions: The results highlight the potential benefit of an additional tobacco cessation program as part of a general addiction treatment. Although no improvements in the physiological domain were observed, there were significant improvements regarding self-efficacy and CPD in the IG compared to the TAUG. Randomized controlled trials on larger samples would be an important next step.

Trial registration: ISRCTN15684371.

Keywords: Addiction therapy outcome; Heart rate variability; Self-efficacy; Tobacco cessation; Tobacco dependence.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Tobacco Use Cessation* / methods
Tobacco Use Cessation* / psychology
Tobacco Use Disorder / psychology
Tobacco Use Disorder / rehabilitation
Tobacco Use Disorder / therapy
Treatment Outcome