Telephone-based Treatment for Smoking Cessation

Motivational Interviewing in Smoking Cessation: A Controlled Clinical Trial at the Swedish National Tobacco Quitline

Aim: to assess the effect of adding Motivational Interviewing (MI) to the existing smoking cessation treatment protocol at the Swedish National Tobacco Quitline (SNTQ).

Methods: Experienced counsellors at SNTQ either received further training in the standard treatment (ST) protocol (including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)) or a comprehensive regime of training in MI. 1309 clients were randomized to either the ST group or the group with MI added to the treatment protocol. In order to ensure treatment integrity among counsellors, MI skill was assessed using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity Code (MITI).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clients have to express a desire for support regarding smoking cessation
• Clients have to be willing to confirm their identity by answering a baseline registration questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clients with obvious difficulties understanding Swedish
• Clients with obvious mental impairments
• Clients using tobacco products other than cigarettes (mainly smokeless tobacco, or "snus")