Motivational interviewing for smoking cessation in a psychiatric day hospital: a feasibility study

Our main objective was to test the feasibility of adding motivational interviewing to the usual smoking cessation treatment for patients with psychiatric disorders attending a day hospital.

A total of 44 patients participated in the study: a comparison group of 25 patients, all of whom received the usual smoking cessation treatment (nicotine replacement therapy, 1 hour of weekly group therapy, and daily individual advice), and an intervention group of 19 patients who received the usual smoking cessation treatment plus up to four motivational interviewing sessions. Data included sociodemographics, psychiatric diagnosis, cigarette use, and engagement in treatment. Descriptive analyses were conducted, along with logistic regression to test for differences on abstinence and daily smoking rates.

All 19 patients offered the motivational interviewing accepted it, and all of them completed at least one session (M = 2.53, SD = 0.234, Range = 1 to 4). At the end of treatment, four patients in the intervention group were abstinent (versus none in the comparison group), but this was not statistically significant. Both groups showed a mean daily reduction of eight cigarettes. After introducing all variables into the regression models, none reached significance.

Adding motivational interviewing to usual smoking cessation treatment in a psychiatric day hospital seems feasible and acceptable. Further, more rigorous research is needed.