Pilot randomized trial on mindfulness training for smokers in young adult binge drinkers.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We report results of a pilot study designed to test a novel smoking cessation
intervention, Mindfulness Training for Smokers (MTS), in smokers age 18-29 years with
regular episodes of binge drinking. Mindfulness is a cognitive skill of applying close
moment-to-moment attention to experience with a mental posture of acceptance and non-reactivity.
The MTS intervention consisted of six weekly classes that provided instruction on
how to use mindfulness to manage known precursors of smoking relapse including smoking
triggers, strong emotions, stressful situations, addictive thoughts, urges, and withdrawal
symptoms. METHODS: The MTS intervention was compared to Interactive Learning for Smokers
(ILS), a time/intensity matched control group using daily non-directed walking instead
of mindfulness meditation. Recruitment was conducted primarily at local technical
colleges. Primary outcome measures included biochemically-confirmed smoking abstinence
and reduction in alcohol use at the end of treatment (2-weeks post-quit attempt).
RESULTS: The sample (N = 55) was 70.9% male, with a mean age of 21.9 years, and a
mean of 11.76 alcoholic drinks consumed per week. Intent-to-treat analysis showed
biochemically-confirmed 7-day point prevalence abstinence rates at 2-weeks post-quit
for MTS = 20.0% and ILS = 4.0%, p = .08. Secondary analysis showed number of drinks
per week in the first 2-weeks post-quit correlated with smoking relapse at 2-weeks
post-quit (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrated that Mindfulness Training
for Smokers shows promise for smoking cessation and alcohol use reduction in treating
young adult smokers with alcohol abuse. Results suggest the need for a study with
larger sample size and methods that reduce attrition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClnicalTrial.gov,
NCT01679236.
Type
Journal articleSubject
AdultAnalysis of Variance
Binge Drinking
Female
Humans
Male
Mindfulness
Pilot Projects
Smoking Cessation
Tobacco Use Disorder
Young Adult
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11689Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1186/1472-6882-13-215Publication Info
Davis, James M; Mills, David M; Stankevitz, Kristin A; Manley, Alison R; Majeskie,
Matthew R; & Smith, Stevens S (2013). Pilot randomized trial on mindfulness training for smokers in young adult binge drinkers.
BMC Complement Altern Med, 13. pp. 215. 10.1186/1472-6882-13-215. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11689.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
James Davis
Associate Professor of Medicine
Dr. James Davis is a practicing physician of Internal Medicine, and serves as the
Medical Director for Duke Center for Smoking Cessation, Director of the Duke Smoking
Cessation Program and Co-Director of the Duke-UNC Tobacco Treatment Specialist Credentialing
Program. His research focuses on development of new pharmaceutical treatments for
smoking cessation. He is principal investigator on several trials including a study
on “adaptive” smoking cessation and several trials

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