Participation in a population-based physical activity programme as an aid for smoking cessation: a randomised trial. Issue 6 (25th August 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bize, Raphaël; Willi, Carole; Chiolero, Arnaud; Stoianov, Rebecca; Payot, Sylvie; Locatelli, Isabella; Cornuz, Jacques
• Is Part Of: Tobacco control. Volume 19:Issue 6(2010)
• Page Start: 488
• Page End: 494
• Publication Date: 2010-08-25
• Subjects: Smoking cessation -- exercise -- prevention -- risk factors -- cessation; Tobacco use -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Tobacco use -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Smoking -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco Use Disorder -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 613.85
• DOI: 10.1136/tc.2009.030288
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-4563

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Exercise combined with nicotine therapy may help smoking cessation and minimise weight gain after quitting. Low participation in vigorous-intensity physical activity programmes precludes their population-wide applicability. In a randomised controlled trial, we tested whether a population-based moderate-intensity physical activity programme increases quit rates among sedentary smokers receiving nicotine therapy. Methods: Participants (n=481; 57% male; mean age, 42.2 years (SD 10.1); mean cigarette consumption, 27 (SD 10.2) per day) were offered a nine-week smoking cessation programme consisting of a weekly 15-minute counselling session and the prescription of nicotine replacement therapy. In addition, participants in the physical activity group (n=229) also took part in a programme of moderate-intensity physical activity implemented at the national level, and offering nine weekly 60-minute sessions of physical activity. To ensure equal contact conditions, participants in the control group (n=252) attended weekly 60-minute health behaviour education sessions unrelated to physical activity. The primary outcome was continuous CO-verified smoking abstinence rates at 1-year follow-up. Results: Continuous smoking abstinence rates were high and similar in the physical activity group and the control group at the end of the intervention (47% versus 46%, p=0.81) and at 1-year follow-up (27% versus 29%, p=0.71). The mean weight gain after one year was 4.4 kg and 6.2 kg among sustained quitters of the physical activity and control groups, respectively (p=0.06). Conclusion: Participation in a population-based moderate-intensity physical activity programme for 9 weeks in addition to a comprehensive smoking cessation programme did not significantly increase smoking cessation rates. A non-significant reduction in weight gain was observed among participants who quit smoking in the physical activity group. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ; US National Institutes for Health (available online at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ ; Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT00521391 )