Hand-Held Computers to Help Smokers Quit

It's the dawning of the new millennium, and computers help us with everything. Why not use them to help smokers kick the habit as well?

High-tech gadgets have entered the world of smoking cessation with a new study beginning at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

"This is the first time computers have been used to help people quit smoking. This also is the first time anyone has used a two-pronged approach that allows smokers to change their smoking behavior first, then break the nicotine addiction," says Dr. Paul M. Cinciripini, director of the Tobacco Research and Treatment Program, and principal investigator for the study.

This new study, titled "Scheduled Smoking with Transdermal Nicotine," combines the two best, proven methods for smoking cessation - scheduled smoking and nicotine replacement, according to Dr. Cinciripini.

"We want to determine whether this makes it easier for people to quit the habit. No one has ever studied these methods in combination until now," he says. "Using both approaches simultaneously may help ensure that smokers don't feel the pangs of nicotine withdrawal as they are learning to break the habit of reaching for a cigarette."

As an individual smokes fewer cigarettes per day, the amount of nicotine in the patch increases. This ensures that smokers receive the same amount of nicotine throughout the scheduled smoking part of the study. After the smoking habit is broken, then the amount of nicotine in the patch gradually decreases, until the nicotine addiction is broken as well, Dr. Cinciripini says.

Previous studies have shown that the best ways to break cigarette addiction are: nicotine replacement using the patch, gum or nasal spray; or smoking on a schedule, instead of smoking whenever the desire occurs. With scheduled smoking, the interval between cigarettes gradually increases increases until smokers have kicked the habit.

"All participants will receive hand-held computers that can be carried easily in a pocket or purse," says Dr. Cinciripini.

Provided for research participants, all palm-sized computers contain a stop-smoking manual filled with tips and motivational messages to help smokers quit. The messages are tailored for various moods or times that usually prompt a smoker to reach for a cigarette, such as during periods of feeling stressed, tired, anxious, or after a cup of coffee or a meal.

Smokers can access the messages easily by pushing a button.

"Anytime you feel the urge to light up, you can check the computer for a tip that may help you avoid or delay lighting that cigarette," Dr. Cinciripini says.

In addition to the stop-smoking tip manual, some participants will use computers that also tell them when to smoke each cigarette. "An alarm sounds when it's time for a cigarette," he says. "This helps smokers become accustomed to smoking on a schedule, and they learn to resist giving in to the urge to smoke."

All participants additionally receive a patch, with volunteers randomly assigned to receive either nicotine patches or placebo patches.

As smokers cut back on the number of cigarettes, their nicotine patches increase in strength so that they receive the same amount of nicotine. This is the mechanism that helps smokers change their smoking behavior first, and then break the nicotine addiction.

The National Institutes of Health is funding the four-year, $1.3 million study.

Investigators are recruiting 675 smokers to participate in the study. Enrollment now is open to smokers from 18 to 75 years old, who smoke 10 or more cigarettes per day. Participation lasts for one year and includes six trips to M. D. Anderson during that time.

"If we eliminated tobacco use, we would see one-third of all cancers disappear," says Dr. Bernard Levin, M. D. Anderson's vice president for cancer prevention.

FAST FACTS

From the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Tobacco is responsible for the deaths of more Americans annually than alcohol, heroin, cocaine, suicide, homicide, car accidents, fire and AIDS combined (JNCI).

Adult smokers who die currently are being replaced by youths who begin smoking (JNCI).

Tobacco-related costs across the nation total more than $50 billion annually in direct medical costs, with an additional $50 billion in indirect costs (CDC).

Nationally, the number of people who die earlier than their life expectancy translates to more than 5 million years of potential life lost each year (CDC).

Deaths:

An estimated 158,900 people are expected to die of lung cancer in 1999, according to American Cancer Society figures.
Accounts for 28 percent of all cancer deaths.
Since 1987, more women have died each year of lung cancer than breast cancer which, for more than 40 years, was the major cause of cancer death in women.

Survival:

Only 14 percent of people with lung cancer survive five years after diagnosis.
Although survival rates approach 49 percent if detected early enough, only 15 percent of lung cancers are discovered at this early stage.

Incidence:

An estimated 171,600 people are expected to be diagnosed in 1999.
Accounts for 14 percent of cancer diagnoses.
The incidence rate is declining in men, from a high of 87 per 100,000 in 1984 to 72 in 1994.
The rate of increase among women, which had steadily climbed for a number of years, has begun to slow.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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