International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 45, Issue 4 , Pages 508-517, April 2008

Does additional support by nurses enhance the effect of a brief smoking cessation intervention in people with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? A randomised controlled trial

  • Julie S. Wilson

      Affiliations

    • Regional Respiratory Centre, Belfast City Hospital Trust, Belfast BT9 7AB, N. Ireland, UK
    • Nursing University of Ulster, N. Ireland, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author.
  • ,
  • Donna Fitzsimons

      Affiliations

    • Regional Respiratory Centre, Belfast City Hospital Trust, Belfast BT9 7AB, N. Ireland, UK
    • Institute of Nursing Research, University of Ulster, N. Ireland, UK
  • ,
  • Ian Bradbury

      Affiliations

    • Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Ulster, N. Ireland
  • ,
  • J. Stuart Elborn

      Affiliations

    • Belfast City Hospital Trust, N. Ireland, UK
    • Respiratory Medicine, Queens University Belfast, N. Ireland, UK

Received 10 May 2006; received in revised form 2 October 2006; accepted 3 October 2006.

Abstract 

Background

Smoking cessation is the primary disease modifying intervention for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Setting

A Regional Respiratory Centre (RRC) out-patient department in Northern Ireland.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the effectiveness of brief advice alone or accompanied by individual nurse support or group support facilitated by nurses. Smoking status was biochemically validated and stage of change, nicotine addiction and dyspnoea were recorded at 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Participants

Ninety-one cigarette smokers with COPD were enrolled in the study (mean age 61years, 47 female).

Results

After 12 months cessation rates were not significantly different between groups (p=0.7), but all groups had a significant reduction in their nicotine addiction (p=0.03–0.006). No changes in subjects’ motivation or dyspnoea were detected over the 12 months.

Conclusion

Patients with COPD were unable to stop smoking regardless of the type of support they received. Harm reduction may be a more appropriate goal than complete cessation for intractable smokers and nurses must evaluate their role in this arena.

Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Nursing interventions, Randomised controlled trial, Secondary care, Smoking cessation

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PII: S0020-7489(06)00297-5

doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2006.10.001

International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 45, Issue 4 , Pages 508-517, April 2008