Pretreatment cue reactivity predicts end-of-treatment smoking

Although a substantial body of literature has established a relationship between cue reactivity and theoretically relevant addiction variables, the association with treatment process variables remains largely unexplored. In the current investigation, 62 smokers participated in a smoking cue reactivity study, and subsequently enrolled in a smoking cessation program. Hierarchical regressions revealed mean heart rate during the cue presentation phase of the laboratory-based assessment predicted final session smoking rate and expired CO level. Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire score also predicted final session smoking rate. To the extent that rate reduction serves as an index of treatment progress, it may be of value in future cue reactivity research.