Exercise interventions for smoking cessation

Abstract

Background Taking regular exercise may help people give up smoking by moderating nicotine withdrawal and cravings, and by helping to manage weight gain. Objectives To determine whether exercise-based interventions alone, or combined with a smoking cessation programme, are more effective than a smoking cessation intervention alone. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialized Register in April 2014, and searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL Plus in May 2014. Selection criteria We included randomized trials which compared an exercise programme alone, or an exercise programme as an adjunct to a cessation programme, with a cessation programme (which we considered the control in this review). Studies were required to recruit smokers or recent quitters and have a follow-up of six months or more. Studies that did not meet the full inclusion criteria because they only assessed the acute effects of exercise on smoking behaviour, or because the outcome was smoking reduction, are summarised but not formally included. Data collection and analysis We extracted data on study characteristics and smoking outcomes. Because of differences between studies in the characteristics of the interventions used we summarized the results narratively, making no attempt at meta-analysis. We assessed risk of selection and attrition bias using standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. Main results We identified 20 trials with a total of 5,870 participants. The largest study was an internet trial with 2,318 participants, and eight trials had fewer than 30 people in each treatment arm. Studies varied in the timing and intensity of the smoking cessation and exercise programmes offered. Only one included study was judged to be at low risk of bias across all domains assessed. Four studies showed significantly higher abstinence rates in a physically active group versus a control group at end of treatment. One of these studies also showed a significant benefit for exercise versus control on abstinence at the three-month follow-up and a benefit for exercise of 1 Exercise interventions for smoking cessation (Review)

The effects of exercise on cigarette cravings and brain activation in response to smoking-related images

“…Exercise can offer a useful treatment for smoking cessation (Ussher et al 2008), and a single session has consistently been shown to reduce cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms ). Even short moderate-intensity bouts have been shown to reduce cravings and cue reactivity and increase time to ad libitum smoking (Taylor and Katomeri 2007).…”

Actividad Física y Tabaquismo

“…La evidencia reporta que utilizar la AF como un elemento para dejar de fumar es débil, sin embargo, existe fuerte evidencia de que la AF reduce los síntomas de abstinencia, el deseo de fumar y el aumento de peso durante el abandono del tabaco. Por lo tanto, consejos para practicar AF deben ser incorporados en los programas para dejar de fumar 5,6,7 . Para un adulto sano, la oMS recomienda incrementar la AF tanto en el tiempo libre o de ocio, como en el trabajo y el traslado.…”

Work and Non-Work Physical Activity Predict Real-Time Smoking Level and Urges in Young Adults

“…Specifically, we sought to evaluate the extent to which specific types of PA, namely work-related and non-work-related PA, were associated with daily smoking intensity and urges. Given the increasing use of PA as an aid for smoking cessation among adults, 6,7 and more recently younger populations, 8,9 results of this study have direct implications for intervention.…”