Acceptance-based treatment for smoking cessation

Elizabeth V. Gifford, Stanford University School of Medicine
Barbara S. Kohlenberg, University of Nevada School of Medicine
Steven C. Hayes, University of Nevada, Reno
David O. Antonuccio, University of Nevada School of Medicine
Melissa M. Piasecki, University of Nevada School of Medicine
Mandra L. Rasmussen-Hall, University of Nevada, Reno
Kathleen M. Palm, Brown University

Abstract

This pilot study applied a theoretically derived model of acceptance-based treatment process to smoking cessation, and compared it to a pharmacological treatment based on a medical dependence model. Seventy-six nicotine-dependent smokers were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: Nicotine Replacement Treatment (NRT), or a smoking-focused version of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). There were no differences between conditions at posttreatment; however, participants in the ACT condition had better long-term smoking outcomes at 1-year follow-up. As predicted by the acceptance process model, ACT outcomes at 1 year were mediated by improvements in acceptance-related skills. Withdrawal symptoms and negative affect neither differed between conditions nor predicted outcomes. Results were consistent with the functional acceptance-based treatment model. Copyright 2004 by Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy All rights for reproduction in any form reserved.