Smoking Cessation After Hospitalization for a Cardiopulmonary Illness

Smoking Cessation Treatment of CardioPulmonary Hospitalized Patients

Smoking-related cardiopulmonary diseases account for a large number of hospital admissions. We investigated the efficacy of hypnotherapy as an aid to a counseling-based smoking cessation program in improving quit rates of hospitalized smoking patients at 12 and 26 weeks after hospital discharge. We compared outcomes with hospitalized patients who received more conventional therapy, namely nicotine replacement therapy, or patients who decided to quit on their own. We also compared smoking cessation rates at 12 and 26 weeks after hospitalization among patients admitted with a cardiac or a pulmonary diagnosis.

Hospitalized patients with a cardiopulmonary diagnosis who were contemplating quitting were recruited into 4 groups: Hypnotherapy, Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), both hypnotherapy and NRT, and self-quit group. All patients received self-help brochures and in-hospital counseling. Intervention groups received more extensive counseling, free NRT supply for a month and/or a 90 minute hypnotherapy session within 2 weeks of discharge. They also had follow up telephone counseling at 1,2,4,8 and 12 weeks after discharge. 7 day prevalence of tobacco abstinence rates at 26 weeks after hospitalization were verified by self report and urinary Cotinine levels.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hospitalized patients with a Cardiopulmonary admission.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Terminal illness, history of Serious Psychiatric illness or substance abuse, Pregnancy, Cognitive or language barriers.