Effectiveness of a web-based self-help smoking cessation intervention: protocol of a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for many chronic and fatal illnesses. Stopping smoking directly reduces those risks. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a web-based interactive self-help programme for smoking cessation, known as the StopSite, by comparing it to an online self-help guide. Both interventions were based on cognitive-behavioural and self-control principles, but the former provided exercises, feedback and interactive features such as one-to-one chatrooms and a user forum, which facilitated mutual support and experience sharing. METHODS AND DESIGN: We conducted a randomised controlled trial to compare the interactive intervention with the self-help guide. The primary outcome measure was prolonged abstinence from smoking. Secondary outcomes were point-prevalence abstinence, number of cigarettes smoked, and incidence of quit attempts reported at follow-up assessments. Follow-up assessments took place three and six months after a one-month grace period for starting the intervention after baseline. Analyses were based on intention-to-treat principles using a conservative imputation method for missing data, whereby non-responders were classified as smokers. DISCUSSION: The trial should add to the body of knowledge on the effectiveness of web-based self-help smoking cessation interventions. Effective web-based programmes can potentially help large numbers of smokers to quit, thus having a major public health impact. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN7442376

The effects of an Internet based self-help course for reducing panic symptoms - Don't Panic Online: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Internet based self-help for panic disorder (PD) has proven to be effective. However, studies so far have focussed on treating a full-blown disorder. Panic symptoms that do not meet DSM-IV criteria are more prevalent than the full-blown disorder and patients with sub-clinical panic symptoms are at risk of developing PD. This study is a randomised controlled trial aimed to evaluate an Internet based self-help intervention for sub-clinical and mild PD compared to a waiting list control group.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participants with mild or sub-clinical PD (N = 128) will be recruited in the general population. Severity of panic and anxiety symptoms are the primary outcome measures. Secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms, quality of life, loss of production and health care consumption. Assessments will take place on the Internet at baseline and three months after baseline.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Results will indicate the effectiveness of Internet based self-help for sub-clinical and mild PD. Strengths of this design are the external validity and the fact that it is almost completely conducted online.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): <a href="http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=1639">NTR1639</a> The Netherlands Trial Register is part of the Dutch Cochrane Centre.</p

Een veldexperiment over veranderingsfasen bij stoppen met roken:De effecten van passendeen niet-passende informatie

Behaviour change can be described as a process in which people progress through several qualitatively different stages. Stage models predict that people in different stages need different types of information to progress to subsequent stages. In a field experiment we tested this assumption using the Social Cognitive Stage Model (SCSM). Smokers and ex-smokers in five stages received information in three information conditions: information developed to increase positive outcome expectations of quitting or information developed to decrease the positive outcome expectations of smoking or information developed to increase self-efficacy expectations. Two months after participants were provided with the information, the interaction between stage and information condition was significant. In addition, the match-mismatch test in which the matched conditions are compared with the mismatched conditions was also significant. After eight month, the overall match-mismatch test was still significant, although the expected effects within stages were present only in the precontemplation and in the action stage. Gender interacted significantly with matching: especially after eight months the matching effects were present only in men. The results provide scarce evidence on the validity of stage models in general and more specifically on the validity of the SCSM. In a sample that was very similar to staged samples studied before, we showed that people in different stages benefited from different types of information. This implicates that the stages differ qualitatively. In addition, while most descriptions of people in different stages are based on cross-sectional findings, these experimental data give a new perspective on the psychological characteristics of people in different stages. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved

Afield experiment on stages of change for smoking cessation:the effects of matched and mismatched information

Behaviour change can be described as a process in which people progress through several qualitatively different stages. Stage models predict that people in different stages need different types of information to progress to subsequent stages. In a field experiment we tested this assumption using the Social Cognitive Stage Model (SCSM). Smokers and ex-smokers in five stages received information in three information conditions: information developed to increase positive outcome expectations of quitting or information developed to decrease the positive outcome expectations of smoking or information developed to increase self-efficacy expectations. Two months after participants were provided with the information, the interaction between stage and information condition was significant. In addition, the match-mismatch test in which the matched conditions are compared with the mismatched conditions was also significant. After eight month, the overall match-mismatch test was still significant, although the expected effects within stages were present only in the precontemplation and in the action stage. Gender interacted significantly with matching: especially after eight months the matching effects were present only in men. The results provide scarce evidence on the validity of stage models in general and more specifically on the validity of the SCSM. In a sample that was very similar to staged samples studied before, we showed that people in different stages benefited from different types of information. This implicates that the stages differ qualitatively. In addition, while most descriptions of people in different stages are based on cross-sectional findings, these experimental data give a new perspective on the psychological characteristics of people in different stages