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)

Effectiveness of psychological interventions for smoking cessation in adults with mental health problems: A systematic review

“…NICE (2013) recommendations for smoking cessation in people with mental health problems do not include physical activity as an intervention but focus primarily on pharmacotherapy and behavioural/ psychological support. Despite the well-documented links between exercise and wellbeing, previous systematic reviews have found limited evidence for the effectiveness of physical activity on smoking cessation in healthy individuals (Ussher, Faulkner, Angus, Hartmann-Boyce, & Taylor, 2019;Ussher, Taylor, West, & McEwen, 2000) and those with alcohol addiction or physical health issues (Ussher et al, 2000). Moreover, due to the lack of staff resources, and environmental or physical risk management practices in psychiatric wards (Shattell, Andes, & Thomas, 2008), exercise-focused interventions may be difficult to implement for smokers with mental health problems.…”

Physical activity and the prevention, reduction, and treatment of alcohol and other drug use across the lifespan (The PHASE review): A systematic review

“…There is broad interest in the role of physical activity (PA) as a treatment and reduction strategy for alcohol and other drug use ( Taylor, Oh, & Cullen, 2013 ; Volkow, 2011 ) and in how physical activity can be used to influence other health behaviours ( Taylor, 2014 ; Thompson, Lambert, Greaves, & Taylor, 2018 ; Ussher, Faulkner, Angus, Hartmann-Boyce, & Taylor, 2019 ). Physical activity interventions could impact on the prevention, reduction, and treatment of alcohol and other drug use but previous reviews have been conceptually confusing and methodologically weak.…”

Is Weight Gain Inevitable for Patients Trying to Quit Smoking as Part of Cardiac Rehabilitation?

“…The link between smoking and body weight is closely related and poses significant challenges for researchers investigating intervention effects in smokers. The most recent Cochrane review of 24 trials with a total of 7279 adult participants investigated the effectiveness of exercise-based interventions alone, or combined with a smoking cessation programmes and concluded no significant effect from adding exercise to smoking cessation [22]. The same authors do state and concludes that more studies are needed and that future trials may alter these conclusions [22].…”

“…The most recent Cochrane review of 24 trials with a total of 7279 adult participants investigated the effectiveness of exercise-based interventions alone, or combined with a smoking cessation programmes and concluded no significant effect from adding exercise to smoking cessation [22]. The same authors do state and concludes that more studies are needed and that future trials may alter these conclusions [22]. Moreover, new research published in the British Journal of Pharmacology has confirmed that exercise can help smokers quit smoking and may aid smoking cessation by reducing the severity of smoking withdrawal symptoms [23].…”