Randomized Trial: Quitline Specialist Training in Gain-Framed vs Standard-Care Messages for Smoking Cessation

Abstract

ResultsSpecialists providing gain-framed counseling used gain-framed statements statistically significantly more frequently than those providing standard-care counseling as assessed with frequency ratings for the two types of gain-framed statements, achieving benefits and avoiding negative consequences (for achieving benefits, gainframed mean frequency rating = 3.9 vs standard-care mean frequency rating = 1.4; mean difference = Ϫ 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = Ϫ 2.8 to Ϫ 2.3; P < .001; for avoiding negative consequences, gain-framed mean frequency rating = 1.5 vs standard-card mean frequency rating = 1.0; mean difference = Ϫ 0.5; 95% CI = Ϫ 0.6 to Ϫ 0.3; P < .001). Gain-framed counseling was associated with a statistically significantly higher rate of abstinence at the 2-week follow-up (ie, 99 [23.3%] of the 424 in the gain-framed group vs 76 [12.6%] of the 603 in the standard-care group, P < .001) but not at the 3-month follow-up (ie, 148 [28.4%] of the 522 in the gain-framed group vs 202 [26.6%] of the 760 in the standard-care group, P = .48). ConclusionsQuitline specialists can be trained to provide gain-framed counseling with good fidelity. Also, gain-framed messages appear to be somewhat more persuasive than standard-care messages in promoting early success in smoking cessation.

Targeted Smoking Cessation Messages for Adolescents

“…This loss-framed attitudinal advantage is contrary to message framing postulates [15] and framed smoking cessation trials conducted among adults (e.g., [16,17]). The divergent reactions to framed messages between these groups may reflect age differences in feelings of dissonance.…”

Relapse-Prevention Booklets as an Adjunct to a Tobacco Quitline: A Randomized Controlled Effectiveness Trial

“…[15][16][17][18][19] A recent meta-analysis found that self-help approaches (ie, minimal interventions such as written materials) were the only empirically-supported interventions for preventing smoking relapse. 20 One such self-help intervention was found to be efficacious and cost-effective among recently quit smokers.…”

Financial versus health motivation to quit smoking: A randomized field study

“…Messages were gain-framed—the focus was on benefits of quitting rather than risks of not quitting. Gain-framed messages have been found more effective in reducing smoking (Toll et al, 2007; Toll et al, 2010; Rothman et al, 2006). Health brochures were titled ―Quit Smoking and Get Healthy‖ and financial brochures were titled ―Quit Smoking and Save Money.‖ Each had specific information on either heath or financial gains achievable over a day, week, and year.…”

“…We followed well-developed methods of message-framing to enhance validity (Toll, 2007; Toll, 2010; Rothman et al, 2006; Schneider et al, 2001). To ensure messages were salient for our target populations, we conducted five focus groups (in English and Spanish) to select the most compelling brochures.…”