Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable death and morbidity worldwide. To explore effective methods for facilitating smoking cessation, a recent study tested the effects of residential multicomponent group therapy compared to outpatient group therapy. This article provides an in-depth look at the study’s methodology, findings, and implications for smoking cessation treatments.

Study Overview

The study was a prospective parallel-group open-label randomized superiority trial conducted across Germany. The researchers aimed to investigate the effectiveness of residential smoking cessation therapy versus outpatient group therapy.

Participants

• Total Participants: 315 adult smokers who smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day
• Gender Breakdown: 51.8% female
• Mean Age: 53.2 years
• Mean Years of Smoking: 34.4 years
• Groups:
  • Residential Therapy Group: 157 participants
  • Outpatient Therapy Group: 158 participants

Methodology

Participants were randomly assigned to either residential or outpatient therapy:

• Residential Therapy: A 9-day intensive program including six daily therapy sessions and supportive interventions within a somatic rehabilitation center.
• Outpatient Therapy: Weekly group therapy sessions over 3-7 weeks, provided close to participants’ homes, including at least 9 hours of behavioral therapy.

Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

Primary Outcomes

The primary outcomes were self-reported continuous abstinence rates at 6 and 12 months, verified biochemically.

Key Findings

Intervention Uptake Rates

• Residential Group: 87.3% (137 participants) started the therapy
• Outpatient Group: 60.1% (95 participants) started the therapy

Abstinence Rates (Therapy-Uptake Population)

• 6 Months:
  • Residential: 46.7%
  • Outpatient: 26.3%
  • Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.46, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.39-4.33, P = 0.0019
• 12 Months:
  • Residential: 39.4%
  • Outpatient: 24.2%
  • OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.14-3.64, P = 0.017
• Biochemically Validated at 12 Months:
  • Residential: 33.1%
  • Outpatient: 17.4%
  • OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.22-4.51, P = 0.011

Abstinence Rates (Intention-to-Treat Population)

• Self-Reported at 12 Months:
  • Residential: 34.4%
  • Outpatient: 14.6%
  • OR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.77-5.34, P < 0.0001
• Biochemically Validated at 12 Months:
  • Residential: 28.6%
  • Outpatient: 10.3%
  • OR = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.85-6.52, P = 0.0001

The study concluded that residential therapy exclusively for smoking cessation is feasible and significantly more effective than outpatient group therapy. These findings suggest that residential treatment could be a valuable new option for smokers seeking to quit.

Source: PubMed