A pilot randomized controlled trial to increase smoking cessation by maintaining National Health Service Stop Smoking Service attendance

ObjectivesThe National Health Service (NHS) Stop Smoking Service (SSS) is an extremely cost-effective method of enabling smoking cessation. However, the SSS is only used by a minority of smokers. Developing interventions to maintain service attendance may help to increase the number of quitters. This study pilots an intervention aimed at maintaining attendance by (1) increasing motivation to attend through a booklet providing evidence of service effectiveness and (2) strengthening the link between motivation to attend and attendance through forming an implementation intention. DesignA factorial randomized controlled trial. MethodsA total of 160 newly enrolled smokers at the Surrey NHS SSS were recruited and randomly assigned to one of four conditions: (1) standard care (SC), (2) SC+effectiveness booklet, (3) SC+implementation intention, and (4) SC+effectiveness booklet+implementation intention. The outcome measures included attendance at the SSS and the 4-week quit rate. ResultsThe booklet increased service attendance (OR=2.93, p<.01, 95% CI=1.45-5.93; Number Needed to Treat=3.3) but had no impact on the 4-week quit rate (OR=1.55, 95% CI=0.75-3.21). Forming an implementation intention had no impact on service attendance or the 4-week quit rate. Attending the service was associated with a higher 4-week quit rate (=87.52, p<.001). ConclusionsPresenting information about the effectiveness of the service improved service attendance. A larger trial now needs to evaluate whether this intervention can also increase the quit rate.