Computerized Anger-Reduction Treatment for Smoking Cessation
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Smoking Cessation, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology, Pulmonary / Respiratory Diseases |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 65 |
| Updated: | 9/13/2018 |
| Start Date: | April 2015 |
| End Date: | August 2019 |
| Contact: | Jesse R Cougle, Ph.D. |
| Email: | cougle@psy.fsu.edu |
| Phone: | 850-645-8729 |
Problematic anger is a strong predictor of failed attempts at smoking cessation. The
investigators proposed study seeks to evaluate whether a novel 8-session computerized
anger-reduction treatment improves quit rates among smokers. Smokers with elevated trait
anger will be administered transdermal nicotine patch therapy and either anger-reduction
treatment or a control intervention. They will be assessed throughout treatment and up until
three months after a scheduled mid- treatment quit date. The investigators propose to test
whether, compared to the control condition, the anger-reduction treatment will lead to: 1)
greater reductions in anger and 2) greater abstinence rates at post-cessation and at
follow-up assessments. The investigators will also test whether changes in anger-related
symptoms account for group differences in abstinence rates.
investigators proposed study seeks to evaluate whether a novel 8-session computerized
anger-reduction treatment improves quit rates among smokers. Smokers with elevated trait
anger will be administered transdermal nicotine patch therapy and either anger-reduction
treatment or a control intervention. They will be assessed throughout treatment and up until
three months after a scheduled mid- treatment quit date. The investigators propose to test
whether, compared to the control condition, the anger-reduction treatment will lead to: 1)
greater reductions in anger and 2) greater abstinence rates at post-cessation and at
follow-up assessments. The investigators will also test whether changes in anger-related
symptoms account for group differences in abstinence rates.
The current proposal seeks to evaluate an eight-session, computerized, anger-focused
intervention for smokers (Anger Reduction Treatment or ART). The investigators will
administer this intervention to smokers (N = 114) who are interested in quitting and have
elevated levels of trait anger. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either: (1)
computerized ART, consisting of interpretation bias modification, or (2) a computerized
control condition, which consists of health education and relaxing video clips. The
computerized sessions (eight total) will take place twice a week for four weeks. All
participants will have a scheduled quit date for the beginning of the third week of treatment
(i.e., at mid-treatment). All participants will also receive nicotine patch therapy to use at
their scheduled quit date. Anger symptoms, smoking cravings, and smoking frequency will be
assessed throughout treatment. Smoking status, anger, and other measures of negative affect
will also be assessed at baseline and regularly for 12-weeks following the scheduled quit
date.
The investigators will test whether, compared to the control condition, the anger-reduction
treatment will lead to: 1) greater reductions in anger and 2) greater abstinence rates at
post-cessation and at follow-up assessments. The investigators will also test whether changes
in anger-related symptoms account for group differences in abstinence rates.
intervention for smokers (Anger Reduction Treatment or ART). The investigators will
administer this intervention to smokers (N = 114) who are interested in quitting and have
elevated levels of trait anger. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either: (1)
computerized ART, consisting of interpretation bias modification, or (2) a computerized
control condition, which consists of health education and relaxing video clips. The
computerized sessions (eight total) will take place twice a week for four weeks. All
participants will have a scheduled quit date for the beginning of the third week of treatment
(i.e., at mid-treatment). All participants will also receive nicotine patch therapy to use at
their scheduled quit date. Anger symptoms, smoking cravings, and smoking frequency will be
assessed throughout treatment. Smoking status, anger, and other measures of negative affect
will also be assessed at baseline and regularly for 12-weeks following the scheduled quit
date.
The investigators will test whether, compared to the control condition, the anger-reduction
treatment will lead to: 1) greater reductions in anger and 2) greater abstinence rates at
post-cessation and at follow-up assessments. The investigators will also test whether changes
in anger-related symptoms account for group differences in abstinence rates.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Elevated levels of trait anger (scoring 22 or higher on the STAXI-trait)
- Currently smoking an average of 8 cigarettes per day
- Must be a regular (daily) smoker for at least 1 year
- Willing to make a serious attempt to quit smoking
- Must report motivation to quit in the next month (30 days) of at least 5 on a 10 point
scale (0 = no motivation and 10 = extreme motivation)
- Have not decreased the number of cigarettes by more than half in the past six months
- Must be an English speaker
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current substance dependence (excluding nicotine dependence)
- Current use of other tobacco products
- Currently receiving cognitive therapy or therapy for problematic anger
- Evidence of serious suicidal intent requiring hospitalization or immediate treatment
- Limited mental competency and the inability to give informed, written consent
- Evidence of psychotic-spectrum disorders
- Changes in medication over the last month
We found this trial at
1
site
Tallahassee, Florida 32306
Principal Investigator: Jesse R Cougle, Ph.D.
Phone: 850-645-8729
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