The efficacy of moderate‐intensity exercise as an aid for smoking cessation in women: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Evidence suggests that vigorous-intensity exercise interventions may be effective for smoking cessation among women; however, few studies have examined the efficacy of a moderate-intensity exercise program. The present study examined the efficacy of moderate-intensity exercise for smoking cessation among female smokers. Healthy, sedentary female smokers (N = 217) were randomly assigned to an 8-week cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation program plus moderate-intensity exercise (CBT+EX) or to the same cessation program plus equal contact (CBT). A subsample received nicotine replacement therapy. Results indicated that the CBT+EX and CBT groups were equally likely to attain smoking cessation at the end of treatment, as measured by cotinine-verified 7-day point-prevalence abstinence (20.2% for CBT+EX vs. 18.5% for CBT). The CBT+EX group was more likely to report smoking cessation, as measured by 7-day point prevalence at the 3-month follow-up (11.9% vs. 4.6%, p<.05), compared with the CBT group. No group differences were found at 12 months by either 7-day point prevalence (7.3% for CBT+EX vs. 8.3% for CBT) or continuous abstinence (0.9% for CBT+EX vs. 0.9% for CBT). Additionally, among participants in the CBT+EX group, those with higher adherence to the exercise prescription were significantly more likely to achieve smoking cessation at the end of treatment than were participants reporting lower adherence to exercise. Our findings indicate that the empirical support for moderate-intensity exercise as an adjunctive treatment to CBT for smoking cessation may be limited. Perhaps future studies could compare moderate- vs. vigorous-intensity physical activity to test their relative efficacy.

Factors associated with smoking cessation in Brazil

“…Similar results were found for sedentary women smokers that were introduced into an aerobic training program combined with a cognitive-behavioral program 37 , where this evidence points to an increase in cessation rates and maintenance of tobacco abstinence among those that participate in the physical exercise program. Other articles in the literature 38,39 also corroborate our findings.…”

Multiple health behavior change research: An introduction and overview

“…A Cochrane review concluded, however, that while exercise promotion did not appear to harm smoking cessation efforts, there was limited evidence that it helped (Ussher, 2005). Only one of the 11 identified trials (Marcus, et al, 1999) found evidence for exercise aiding smoking cessation at long term follow-up. Unfortunately, only two of the studies reported changes in physical activity, limiting our understanding of the feasibility of smokers making changes in their tobacco use and exercise patterns concurrently.…”

“…Unfortunately, only two of the studies reported changes in physical activity, limiting our understanding of the feasibility of smokers making changes in their tobacco use and exercise patterns concurrently. Of note, the one study that had significant effects for both quitting smoking and increasing fitness matched exercise and smoking cessation strategies to participants' readiness to quit, rather than prescribing immediate action (Marcus, et al, 1999).…”

Recruitment and initial interest of men in yoga for smoking cessation: QuitStrong, a randomized control pilot study

“…Our research with women has demonstrated that aerobic exercise coupled with CBT produces higher quit rates at posttreatment (30.6 vs. 21.8 %) and 6-month follow-up (24.6 vs. 13.6 %) than CBT without exercise [16]. Unfortunately, studies of exercise as a complementary treatment to smoking cessation have either focused exclusively on women, or have enrolled men and women, but have not reported gender-specific outcomes [17].…”