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Increases in hyperactive-impulsive symptoms predict relapse among smokers in nicotine replacement therapy
Margaret Rukstalis1, Christopher Jepson, Freda Patterson
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
|June 1, 2005
Summary
Increases in attention and hyperactivity symptoms during the first week of quitting smoking predict relapse. Early symptom management during nicotine replacement therapy may improve smoking cessation success.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Addiction research
- Clinical psychology
Background:
- Inattention and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms are linked to nicotine dependence.
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a common smoking cessation aid.
- Understanding factors predicting relapse is crucial for improving cessation outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if increased inattention and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms in the first quit week predict smoking relapse.
- To examine this relationship in participants undergoing nicotine replacement therapy (transdermal nicotine vs. nasal spray).
Main Methods:
- An open-label randomized trial involving 454 participants undergoing NRT.
- Self-report measures assessed inattention and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms during the first quit week.
- Logistic regression analyzed the prediction of smoking abstinence at 8 weeks (EOT).
Main Results:
- 37% of participants reported increased symptoms in the first quit week; this was not influenced by NRT type.
- An increase in total symptoms during the first quit week significantly reduced the odds of abstinence at EOT (OR = 0.94, p = .002).
- A dichotomized increase in symptoms also predicted lower abstinence rates (OR = 0.57, p = .009).
Conclusions:
- Early increases in inattention and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms after the quit date predict relapse.
- Treatments targeting these symptoms during the critical first week of NRT may enhance smoking cessation success.