Van de Wetering, West, and Thombs (Year) conducted an overview of systematic reviews and an updated systematic review to examine the effectiveness of stop smoking interventions among adults. The overview aimed to summarize findings from systematic reviews published since 2015, while the updated systematic review focused on relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published since 2015. The primary outcome of interest was long-term smoking cessation (≥6 months), with secondary outcomes including short-term smoking cessation (≥2 weeks), continuous abstinence, and relapse rates. The study aimed to provide updated information to inform the development and implementation of smoking cessation programs.
Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide, resulting in millions of deaths annually. Effective interventions are available to assist individuals in quitting smoking, including behavioral therapy, medication, and electronic cigarettes. However, the effectiveness of these interventions can vary based on the specific population being studied. Factors such as age, education level, and mental health history can impact the success of these interventions.
To address the effectiveness of stop smoking interventions among adults, this study aims to conduct an overview of systematic reviews and an updated systematic review. The overview will summarize relevant systematic reviews published since 2015, while the updated systematic review will include pertinent RCTs published since 2015. The primary outcome of interest is long-term smoking cessation (≥6 months), with secondary outcomes including short-term smoking cessation (≥2 weeks), continuous abstinence, and relapse rates.
The overview of systematic reviews will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, while the updated systematic review will adhere to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. For the overview, all systematic reviews published since 2015, evaluating the effectiveness of stop smoking interventions among adults, will be included. The updated systematic review will include all relevant RCTs published since 2015.
The primary outcome for both the overview and the updated systematic review is long-term smoking cessation (≥6 months), while secondary outcomes include short-term smoking cessation (≥2 weeks), continuous abstinence, and relapse rates. The quality of evidence for each outcome will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
This study is expected to provide valuable updated information on the effectiveness of stop smoking interventions among adults. The findings will have implications for various stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare providers, and the general public. Policymakers can utilize the results to inform decisions regarding the allocation of funding for smoking cessation programs. Healthcare providers can apply the findings to enhance their counseling approaches when assisting patients in smoking cessation. The general public can benefit from the study by making informed decisions about their smoking habits.
By synthesizing and analyzing the available evidence, this study aims to contribute to the development and implementation of effective smoking cessation programs, ultimately reducing the global burden of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality.
Reference:
Authors: Van de Wetering, M.J.F., West, R., Thombs, M.B.
Title: Effectiveness of stop smoking interventions among adults: protocol for an overview of systematic reviews and an updated systematic review.
Journal: BMJ Open.
Year: 2022.
Volume: 2.
Issue: 2.
Page numbers: e053776.
DOI: 10.1136