Effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions in dental settings: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Smoking is associated with increased overall morbidity and mortality. Globally, more than 6 million deaths per year are related to smoking. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI), MI in combination with bupropion 150 mg (milligrams), and MI in combination with bupropion and nicotine chewing gums (2 mg) (nicotine replacement therapy [NRT]) in smoking cessation. Materials and Methods: A double-blind, 6-month, parallel, randomized controlled trial was conducted among healthy smokers who were motivated to quit smoking. Based on the sample size estimation, 132 heavy smokers with moderate-to-high dependence were randomized to one of the three intervention groups: A: MI + Placebo, B: MI + bupropion, and C: MI + NRT + bupropion. Interventions were delivered for 3 months. The main outcome was self-reported continuous abstinence rates at 6 months. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Pearson's Chi-square test with P value fixed at 0.05. Results: The study participants included predominantly males (98.5%) with a mean age of 35.1 & PLUSMN; 9.32 years. The overall continuous abstinence rate at 6 months was 18.9%. The continuous abstinence rates were 12.2%, 22.2%, and 23.4% in Group A, B, and C, respectively (P = 0.318). There was no significant difference in 7-day point prevalence abstinence from smoking at the end of 3 months in between the three groups (P = 0.06). Conclusion: MI plays a significant role in smoking cessation and offers benefits comparable to pharmacotherapies and hence can be used as an integral part of smoking cessation interventions.