Enhancing partner support to improve smoking cessation

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012

Publication History Publication Status: New search for studies and content updated (no change to conclusions) Published Online: 11 JUL 2012 SEARCH ARTICLE TOOLS Abstract Abstract Background While many cessation programmes are available to assist smokers in quitting, research suggests that partner involvement may encourage long-term abstinence.
Objectives The purpose of this review was to determine if an intervention to enhance partner support helps smoking cessation when added as an adjunct to a smoking cessation programme, and to estimate the size of any effect.
Search methods For the most recent update, the search was limited to the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialized Register.
The Specialized Register includes reports of controlled trials of smoking cessation identified from electronic searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) to Issue 4, 2011, MEDLINE to update 20110826, EMBASE to 2011 week 33, PsycINFO to 20110822 and Web of Science.
The search terms used were smoking (prevention, control, therapy), smoking cessation, and support (family, marriage, spouse, partner, sexual partner, buddy, friend, co-habitees and co-worker).
Selection criteria Randomized controlled trials of smoking cessation interventions that compared an intervention that included a partner support component with an otherwise identical intervention and reported follow-up of six months or longer.
Data collection and analysis Two authors independently identified the included studies and extracted data using a structured form.
Abstinence, biochemically validated if possible, was the primary outcome measure and was extracted at two post-treatment intervals: six to nine months and 12 months or greater.
Partner Interaction Questionnaire and Support Provided Measure scores were also analysed to assess partner support.
All studies gave self-reported smoking cessation rates, but there was limited biochemical validation of abstinence.
The pooled risk ratio for self-reported abstinence was 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 1.15) at six to nine months and 1.04 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.24) at 12 months or more post-treatment.