Nicotine dependence has not been sufficiently addressed in current state-of-the-science cessation interventions for pregnant smokers. The weight of the evidence from the general population of smokers suggests that nicotine replacement therapies may be beneficial cessation aids for pregnant smokers who are unable to stop smoking. The tremendous potential of these therapies for promoting smoking cessation among pregnant women creates a pressing need for decision tools and protocols to encourage treatment adherence that is essential for rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of OTC NRT when provided as part of prenatal care. The results of this research could be directly translated to the improvement of obstetrical care providers' clinical practices. Medically supervised use of OTC NRT by pregnant smokers is an alternative to continued smoking that has the potential to substantially increase rates of smoking cessation during pregnancy.
The proposed five-year study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of providing over-the-counter (OTC) nicotine replacement therapy, choice of gum, lozenge or patch, (NRT) to promote prepartum smoking cessation. Proposed is a two-arm design. Eligible pregnant women (N=300) will be randomized to either: Arm 1, Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (TCBT, n=100) that provides women with customized risk information about smoking and nicotine, the potential harms to the fetus and encouragement of appropriate behavioral skills building; or Arm 2, TCBT + NRT - the tailored intervention incorporating NRT information plus choice of patch or gum (n=200). The intervention will include 5 face-to-face contacts as part of prenatal visits and 1 telephone counseling session. Primary outcome measures will be biochemically validated 7-day prevalent abstinence rates at the 19-27th and 29-37th week of pregnancy. Secondary outcomes will include 7-day prevalent abstinence rates at 12 weeks postpartum, serious quit attempts, compliance with NRT, and use of materials. Saliva cotinine will be measured among all women at baseline, the 27-35th week of pregnancy, and 12 weeks postpartum. The significance of this project is that it relies on transdisciplinary collaborations to extend the science in nicotine replacement therapies to a population that could derive substantial health benefits. Moreover, the study results have immediate potential to inform clinical recommendations for integrating nicotine replacement into prenatal care.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
181
All participants received a tailored CBT (TCBT) intervention that included: a written self-help guide, info about the importance of reducing nicotine exposure to the fetus, 5 face to face and 1 telephone counseling session. Women in the TCBT + NRT arm were guided through a process of deciding on nicotine gum, lozenge or patch. To minimize fetal exposure, the dose of NRT was customized to the woman's current level of smoking. Women who smoked 5-10 cigarettes a day were given the 14 mg patch or instructed to use one 2 mg lozenge or 2 mg piece of gum to replace each cigarette she usually smoked per day. Those who smoked 11 cigarettes or more per day were given the 21 mg patch or instructed to use no more than one lozenge (2 mg) or piece of gum (2 mg) to replace each cigarette she usually smoked per day, not to exceed 15 lozenges or pieces of gum per day.
6 counseling sessions delivered over the phone or in person
Includes CBT from arm 1 plus choice of NRT (lozenge, gum, or patch) tailored to smoking amount
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina, United States
Womack Army Medical Center
Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States
Biochemically-validated smoking cessation
Time frame: middle and late pregnancy
Biochemically-validated smoking cessation
Time frame: 3 months postpartum
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