Impact of Nicotine Replacement Therapy on Mood After Quitting Smoking
Author Information
Author(s): Korhonen Tellervo, Kinnunen Taru H, Garvey Arthur J
Primary Institution: Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Hypothesis
Does pre-cessation depressive symptoms modify the effects of Nicotine Replacement Therapy on post-cessation mood states?
Conclusion
Nicotine Replacement Therapy may be particularly beneficial for smokers with pre-cessation depressive symptoms in managing negative mood states after quitting.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants with pre-cessation depressive symptoms had higher mood scores in the placebo group compared to the NRT group.
- NRT showed no significant effects on feeling anxious, energetic, or fatigued.
- The study found significant interaction effects between NRT and pre-cessation depressive symptoms on feeling confused and angry.
Takeaway
This study found that people who were sad before quitting smoking might feel better if they use nicotine replacement therapy, like gum, when they try to stop.
Methodology
The study analyzed data from a randomized controlled trial, focusing on mood states of participants who used nicotine gum or placebo after quitting smoking.
Potential Biases
The reliance on self-reported measures and the exclusion of participants who relapsed may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limitations
The study only included participants who remained abstinent for at least two weeks, which may introduce bias as those with higher depressive symptoms may have relapsed earlier.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 242 smokers, with 32.2% having baseline depressive symptoms; demographics included 52.1% male and a majority being white.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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