Behavioral therapy and regular physical exercises in the smoking cessation

Abstract

Тo study the effectiveness of smoking cessation who were given the opportunity to exercise regularly and telephone counseling. Materials and methods. A total of 640 young smokers (18-45 years old) who received free telephone counseling were analyzed: 5 consultations during the month (440 people) or one-time counseling (200 people). 228 smokers were granted a free subscription for fitness classes during the month. Testing was conducted to determine the degree of nicotine dependence (Fagerstrom test), the motivation to quit smoking, medical and social factors. The fitness group and the main control group received similar cognitive-behavioral therapy and did not significantly differ in age, sex, and smoking status. Statistical data processing was performed using the SPSS program. Results. In the group engaged in fitness, 210 people out of 228 (92%) were able to quit smoking. In the control group - 148 people out of 212 (69.8%). The chances of not smoking during the month of fitness were higher compared to the control group that received counseling only: OR 5.16 (95% CI 3.24-8.22), and the chances of quit were higher for wo­men than for men. After the end of the fitness program, the effectiveness of quitting smoking decreased by 1.8 times in both groups (fitness and control). Relationships for chances of remaining non-smoking for 6 months were higher in the fitness group - OR 3.35 (95% CI 2.22-5.05). Corrected data (excluding those who did not answer the call) - OR 5.22 (95% CI 3.32-8.22). Compared with the control group that received only one-time counseling (reactive counseling), the chances of 30-day abstinence were higher in the group that received a telephone counseling session (proactive counseling) - OR 9.97 (95% CI 6.34-15.66), 6-month abstinence - OR 10.87 (95% CI 5.03-23.5). Conclusion. The results of smoking cessation demonstrate that the combined use of physical exercises and counseling significantly increase the effectiveness of quit smoking during the month and in the future. An almost twofold decrease in abstinence by the age of 6 months indicates that lifestyle changes and the inclusion of regular exercise should be more prolonged.