Addressing Psychological Risk Factors Underlying Smoking Persistence in COPD Patients: The Fresh Start Study

Not Applicable

Completed

Conditions: Copd
Nicotine Dependence
Smoking Cessation
Tobacco Use
Cigarette Smoking

Interventions: Behavioral: Unified Protocol adapted for smoking cessation

Registration Number: NCT04043728

Lead Sponsor: Rush University Medical Center

Brief Summary: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is caused primarily by smoking and smoking cessation is the first-line treatment for slowing disease progression. Despite this, nearly 50% of COPD patients continue to smoke following diagnosis. Smokers with COPD report high rates of co-occurring conditions - nicotine dependence, depression, and anxiety - which serve as barriers to quitting. The current study will pilot test a behavioral intervention designed to target the common psychological factors underlying these co-occurring conditions and foster smoking cessation among COPD patients.

Detailed Description: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is caused primarily by smoking and smoking cessation is the first-line treatment for slowing disease progression. Despite this, nearly 50% of COPD patients continue to smoke following diagnosis. Smokers with COPD report high rates of co-occurring conditions - nicotine dependence, depression, and anxiety - which serve as barriers to quitting. The current study will pilot test a behavioral intervention designed to target the common psychological factors underlying these co-occurring conditions and foster smoking cessation among COPD patients. The specific aim is to:

Aim: Develop a multi-component behavioral treatment to address psychological risk factors among COPD patients. We will conduct a component analysis using single case design experiments with 15 participants to a) examine the contribution of each treatment component to the behavioral target of smoking for affect regulation, and b) establish proof-of-concept on the clinical endpoint of initial cessation (\>24 hours abstinence).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 18

Inclusion Criteria

Eligible participants will be males and females who are:

Diagnosed with COPD (as documented in electronic health record [EHR]),
Daily cigarette smokers (5 or more cigarettes per day over past 30 days),
Intend to quit smoking within the next 60 days,
Report at least moderate level of smoking for affective regulation (SMQ-R coping subscale score 30 or greater),
Have access to a smart phone, tablet, or computer, and
Are able to communicate fluently in English

Exclusion Criteria

Any concurrent medical or psychiatric condition which would preclude ability to provide informed consent or perform study procedures (e.g., moderate to severe dementia and/or severe, uncontrolled schizophrenia), as determined by the treating physician or study PI.

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Mindfulness	Unified Protocol adapted for smoking cessation	This module introduces mindfulness training skills, with the goal of cultivating nonjudgmental, present-focused experience of emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations related to cigarette smoking. By progressing though a series of experiential exercises (e.g., awareness of the breath, anchoring in the present), this module seeks to reduce maladaptive attempts to control negative emotions and facilitate tolerance of the physical and emotional symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Interoceptive Exposure (Practice Quitting)	Unified Protocol adapted for smoking cessation	This module introduces interoceptive exposure, a technique in which participants purposefully and systematically complete exercises to evoke physical sensations typically associated with anxiety and distress, in order to reduce fear and avoidance of these sensations. Interoceptive exercises will focus on a gradual exposure to nicotine withdrawal symptoms, through a series of 'practice quit attempts' (i.e., brief periods of smoking abstinence without intention to permanently quit).
Behavioral Activation (Countering Emotional Behaviors)	Unified Protocol adapted for smoking cessation	This module introduces behavioral activation, which seeks to increase positive emotions by systematically introducing greater engagement with natural rewards. Treatment sessions focus on the identification of avoidance strategies, including cigarette smoking as a coping strategy for negative emotions. The goal of this treatment module is to replace smoking with adaptive coping strategies to facilitate contact with and enjoyment of reinforcing activities that are incompatible with smoking.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants Who Achieved 24-hour Smoking Abstinence at End-of-treatment	24 hours post-quit date	The clinical endpoint will be achievement of 24-hour smoking abstinence at end-of-treatment, as verified by CO \< 5 ppm.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percent Change in Smoking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (SMQ-R) Average Score	Through active treatment phase (approximately 4 weeks)	The secondary outcome is percent change in Smoking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (SMQ-R) average score. The SMQ-R measures the construct of smoking for affect regulation (i.e., smoking to improve mood or reduce distress). SMQ-R average score is computed as the average of 13 items, each assessed on a 0 to 100 scale, with higher scores indicating greater smoking for affect regulation.