A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Multicomponent Smoking Cessation Intervention for Adults with Serious Mental Illness.

Background

Combined behavioral- and pharmacological-based tobacco cessation interventions are effective for adults with serious mental illness; yet, they continue to smoke at alarming rates. Materials and

Methods

A pilot two-arm randomized controlled trial of the program consisted of 50 minutes of game-based groups 3×/week, for 12 weeks alongside counseling and pharmacotherapy. The intervention group engaged in game-based group physical activity (PA), while the control group engaged in sedentary games.

Results

Multilevel regression analyses were used to examine the primary aims. Mean number of cigarettes smoked per week (cig/wk) for the sample (n = 48) at enrollment was 56.3 cigarettes. The linear change was significant at 2.9 fewer cig/wk. The average psychiatric symptom score at enrollment for the PA group was 41.5 points with a significant predicted linear decrease in scores.

Conclusion

Both study groups showed a significant reduction in cig/wk. The combination of counseling and pharmacotherapy offered in groups may have aided with cessation and cigarette reduction while also providing a benefit to mental health.