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Self-directed Titrated Transdermal Nicotine Patch Versus Standard Treatment for Smoking Cessation

Self-directed Titrated Transdermal Nicotine Patch Versus Standard Treatment for Smoking Cessation in Smokers Motivated to Quit

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01622998
Acronym
STEP
Enrollment
303
Registered
2012-06-19
Start date
2011-01-01
Completion date
2014-09-01
Last updated
2026-08-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Smoking Cessation

Keywords

Pharmacotherapy, Titration, Smoking Cessation

Brief summary

The primary aim of this research study is to determine whether titrated, patient-directed transdermal patch NRT, based on smoking history and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, improves long-term rates of smoking cessation in patients motivated to quit smoking when compared to patients using the standard transdermal NRT patch protocol. The following hypothesis will be tested: CO-validated continuous abstinence rate at 52 weeks post target quit date will be higher for the titrated, self-directed NRT group compared to the standard NRT treatment group.

Detailed description

Participants will be recruited from the UOHI Smoking Cessation Clinic and via media advertisements. Following their baseline assessment, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1. 10-week standard treatment of transdermal nicotine replacement therapy (NRT);or 2. 10-week titrated transdermal nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) treatment with additional NRT product (NRT+) Participants assigned to the "NRT" standard treatment group will follow a 10-week regimen of nicotine patches alone. Participants assigned to the "NRT+" titrated treatment group will follow a 10-week regimen of tailored patch dosage. Participants will also be provided with the Nicorette inhaler. All participants will receive five 15-minute counselling sessions from a smoking cessation counsellor. These sessions occur at 1, 3, 5, 8 and 10 weeks post target quit date. Counselling sessions will focus on practical counselling (problem solving and skills training) and social support. During the treatment phase, participants will complete questionnaires measuring withdrawal symptoms, self-efficacy, use of cessation resources and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) at weeks 1, 3, 5, 8 and 10. These questionnaires will also be completed at 26 and 52 weeks post target quit date.

Interventions

Dosage: 21mg patch; 14mg patch; 7 mg patch Frequency: NRT patch application once per day Duration: 10 week treatment period \*Titration for experimental group (NRT+) based on smoking history, and option to increase dose if withdrawal symptoms are unmanageable.

DRUGNicorette Inhaler

Nicorette Inhaler: Box, 42 cartridges (4mg/cartridge) Dosage: Ad libitum Maximum dosage: 6-12 cartridges/day

Sponsors

Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation
Lead SponsorOTHER
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Current smoker (≥ 10 cigarette per day); 2. 18 years of age or older; 3. Willing to set a date to quit smoking within the 30 days following the baseline assessment; 4. Participant is willing to return to the UOHI for follow-up examination; 5. Participant is willing to provide informed consent; 6. Motivated to quit smoking.

Exclusion criteria

1. Participant is unable to read and understand English or French; 2. Participant is pregnant, lactating or planning to become pregnant during the study period; 3. Participant has attempted to quit smoking in the previous month with the support of medication for \>72 hours; 4. Participant is currently using a smoking cessation medication (e.g., NRT, Bupropion, Varenicline,Clonadine, Notriptyline); 5. Participant has contraindication(s) to nicotine replacement therapy (allergy to adhesive, life-threatening arrhythmias (e.g., tachycardia); 6. Participant is during the immediate post-myocardial infarction period (i.e. incident has occurred within the last 10 days); 7. Severe or worsening angina pectoris; 8. Subject has had a recent cerebral vascular accident (i.e. incident has occurred within the last 10 days); 9. Participant currently suffering with depression (BDI-II ≥20); 10. Participant who has been diagnosed with depression or treated with an antidepressant in the past 12 months; 11. Past or present history of psychosis (Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform or Delusional Disorders),panic disorder, or bipolar disorder; 12. Drug or alcohol abuse or dependence in the past year; 13. Member of the participant's household is already participating in the study or in the "Quit Smoking in the 'Real World'" study; 14. Participant is currently participating in or already receiving counseling or follow-up for smoking cessation. 13.) Participants who in the opinion of the investigator will be unlikely to commit to a year-long study;

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Validated Continuous Abstinence Rate at Week 52Week 52Self-reported continuous abstinence at week 52 post target quit date will be confirmed with a carbon monoxide breath test.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Validated Continuous Abstinence Rates at Weeks 10 and 26 Weeksweeks 10, 26Self-reported continuous abstinence rates will be validated with a carbon monoxide breath test at weeks 10 and 26 post target quit date.
Self Reported 7-day Point Prevalence at Weeks 10, 26 and 52.Self-reported seven day point prevalence of abstinence will be validated at week 10, 26 and 52 weeks post target quite date.
Self-reported Continuous Abstinence at Weeks 10, 26 and 52Week 1 to 52

Countries

Canada

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAndrew Pipe, CM, MD

Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation

Baseline characteristics

Characteristic
Age, Continuous47.4 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.9
Baseline BMI28.4 Kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.7
Cigarettes smoked per day in the past month23.3 cigarettes per day
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.6
Duration of Smoking29.0 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.7
Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTCD) Score5.8 Scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.2
Formal Education14.2 Years of formal education
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.7
Household Income
<$20,000 per year
52 Participants
Household Income
$20,000 to $59,999
97 Participants
Household Income
>$60,000
61 Participants
Household Income
Unknown (missing or prefer not to say)
28 Participants
Number of quit attempts in the past year4.3 quit attempts
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.6
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected0 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
57 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
97 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 1490 / 149
other
Total, other adverse events
2 / 1490 / 149
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 1490 / 149

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 15, 2026