Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Sampling and Selection to Increase Medication Adherence

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 4

Conditions: Smoking Cessation

Treatments: Drug: combination NRT; Behavioral: Counseling

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT03276780

R34DA043346 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

F151019004

Details and patient eligibility

About

To determine the preliminary impact on Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)adherence and examine the underlying mechanisms of action associated with adherence.

Full description

Adherence is a critical target for successful smoking cessation, with good adherence associated with a three-fold increase in cessation rates relative to poor adherence. Psychoeducational interventions focused on increasing adherence to NRT do not result in behavioral change (e.g., smoking cessation). Experiential approaches, such NRT sampling with practice quit attempts (PQAs), are based on learning theory models of behavioral change and have resulted in increased motivation, self-efficacy, adherence, and abstinence relative to psychoeducation or motivational interventions. However, nicotine sampling still relies of the participant using NRT outside of session, which may not occur. Providing an experiential intervention in which the NRT is sampled and any problems with NRT reframed during the session may provide a powerful learning experience that can increase in home sampling with PQAs and long-term adherence, ultimately increasing the likelihood of smoking cessation. This may be particularly relevant for low-income smokers who hold more negative views of NRT, have lower health literacy, and are less likely to use medication during cessation attempts.

Enrollment: 80 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

a) 18 years or older; b) qualifying as low income (as defined by making <150% above the poverty line or <$22,260 as a single or <$45,570 for a family of four); c) Smoking at least 5 cigarettes per day (CPD) for the past year and a carbon monoxide (CO) level of less than 8 ppm to ensure daily smoking. This relatively low cutoff was chosen due to the expectation of enrolling a large >50% African-American who average <10 CPD compared to Whites who average ~15 CPD.; and d) English speaking.

Exclusion criteria

a) Living in a restricted environment (e.g., prison or jail facility, etc.); b) Pregnant or nursing (all women will be required to use an acceptable form of contraception); c) Currently enrolled in a smoking cessation treatment program, using NRT products, or prescribed bupropion or varenicline; d) Known allergy to any of the nicotine replacement products or sensitivity to adhesive used in nicotine patches; e) Trouble breathing, a pulmonary condition, or sinus problems; f) Within one month post-myocardial infarction or untreated severe angina; g) poor dentation or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems such as unable to use nicotine gum; h) Cognitive impairment or unstable psychiatric condition that interferes with the informed consent process (individuals stable on psychiatric medications will be included); or i) Daily or exclusive use of other tobacco products (e.g., electronic cigarettes, little cigars, etc.).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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80 participants in 2 patient groups

In vivo

Experimental group

Description:

Will receive 4 types of short-acting NRT medication to use in combination with the nicotine patch in each counseling session for four sessions. At the fifth session, participants will select their short acting NRT to use with the patch to make a cessation attempt.

Treatment:

Drug: combination NRT

Behavioral: Counseling

Standard of care

Active Comparator group

Description:

Will receive 4 sessions of behavioral counseling around their smoking. At the fifth session, participants will select their short-acting NRT to use with the nicotine patch based on a product description of each product to make a cessation attempt.

Treatment:

Drug: combination NRT

Behavioral: Counseling