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Addressing Psychological Risk Factors Underlying Smoking Persistence in COPD Patients: The Fresh Start Study

Addressing Psychological Risk Factors Underlying Smoking Persistence in COPD Patients: The Fresh Start Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04043728
Enrollment
18
Registered
2019-08-02
Start date
2019-09-09
Completion date
2020-03-31
Last updated
2021-03-17

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

Conditions

Cigarette Smoking, Copd, Nicotine Dependence, Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Use

Keywords

COPD, Smoking cessation, Nicotine dependence, Tobacco use, Cigarette smoking, Behavioral treatment

Brief summary

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is caused primarily by smoking and smoking cessation is the first-line treatment for slowing disease progression. Despite this, nearly 50% of COPD patients continue to smoke following diagnosis. Smokers with COPD report high rates of co-occurring conditions - nicotine dependence, depression, and anxiety - which serve as barriers to quitting. The current study will pilot test a behavioral intervention designed to target the common psychological factors underlying these co-occurring conditions and foster smoking cessation among COPD patients.

Detailed description

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is caused primarily by smoking and smoking cessation is the first-line treatment for slowing disease progression. Despite this, nearly 50% of COPD patients continue to smoke following diagnosis. Smokers with COPD report high rates of co-occurring conditions - nicotine dependence, depression, and anxiety - which serve as barriers to quitting. The current study will pilot test a behavioral intervention designed to target the common psychological factors underlying these co-occurring conditions and foster smoking cessation among COPD patients. The specific aim is to: Aim: Develop a multi-component behavioral treatment to address psychological risk factors among COPD patients. We will conduct a component analysis using single case design experiments with 15 participants to a) examine the contribution of each treatment component to the behavioral target of smoking for affect regulation, and b) establish proof-of-concept on the clinical endpoint of initial cessation (\>24 hours abstinence).

Interventions

Treatment components are cognitive-behavioral strategies adapted from the Unified Protocol (UP) for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders. Behavioral counseling strategies for smoking cessation, drawn from current US Public Health Service guidelines, are incorporated in each treatment module. All participants will be provided with the American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking guide to aid in their quit attempt.

Sponsors

Rush University Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

Eligible participants will be males and females who are: * Diagnosed with COPD (as documented in electronic health record \[EHR\]), * Daily cigarette smokers (5 or more cigarettes per day over past 30 days), * Intend to quit smoking within the next 60 days, * Report at least moderate level of smoking for affective regulation (SMQ-R coping subscale score 30 or greater), * Have access to a smart phone, tablet, or computer, and * Are able to communicate fluently in English

Exclusion criteria

* Any concurrent medical or psychiatric condition which would preclude ability to provide informed consent or perform study procedures (e.g., moderate to severe dementia and/or severe, uncontrolled schizophrenia), as determined by the treating physician or study PI.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants Who Achieved 24-hour Smoking Abstinence at End-of-treatment24 hours post-quit dateThe clinical endpoint will be achievement of 24-hour smoking abstinence at end-of-treatment, as verified by CO \< 5 ppm.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percent Change in Smoking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (SMQ-R) Average ScoreThrough active treatment phase (approximately 4 weeks)The secondary outcome is percent change in Smoking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (SMQ-R) average score. The SMQ-R measures the construct of smoking for affect regulation (i.e., smoking to improve mood or reduce distress). SMQ-R average score is computed as the average of 13 items, each assessed on a 0 to 100 scale, with higher scores indicating greater smoking for affect regulation.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Mindfulness
This module introduces mindfulness training skills, with the goal of cultivating nonjudgmental, present-focused experience of emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations related to cigarette smoking. By progressing though a series of experiential exercises (e.g., awareness of the breath, anchoring in the present), this module seeks to reduce maladaptive attempts to control negative emotions and facilitate tolerance of the physical and emotional symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Unified Protocol adapted for smoking cessation: Treatment components are cognitive-behavioral strategies adapted from the Unified Protocol (UP) for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders. Behavioral counseling strategies for smoking cessation, drawn from current US Public Health Service guidelines, are incorporated in each treatment module. All participants will be provided with the American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking guide to aid in their quit attempt.
6
Interoceptive Exposure (Practice Quitting)
This module introduces interoceptive exposure, a technique in which participants purposefully and systematically complete exercises to evoke physical sensations typically associated with anxiety and distress, in order to reduce fear and avoidance of these sensations. Interoceptive exercises will focus on a gradual exposure to nicotine withdrawal symptoms, through a series of 'practice quit attempts' (i.e., brief periods of smoking abstinence without intention to permanently quit). Unified Protocol adapted for smoking cessation: Treatment components are cognitive-behavioral strategies adapted from the Unified Protocol (UP) for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders. Behavioral counseling strategies for smoking cessation, drawn from current US Public Health Service guidelines, are incorporated in each treatment module. All participants will be provided with the American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking guide to aid in their quit attempt.
6
Behavioral Activation (Countering Emotional Behaviors)
This module introduces behavioral activation, which seeks to increase positive emotions by systematically introducing greater engagement with natural rewards. Treatment sessions focus on the identification of avoidance strategies, including cigarette smoking as a coping strategy for negative emotions. The goal of this treatment module is to replace smoking with adaptive coping strategies to facilitate contact with and enjoyment of reinforcing activities that are incompatible with smoking. Unified Protocol adapted for smoking cessation: Treatment components are cognitive-behavioral strategies adapted from the Unified Protocol (UP) for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders. Behavioral counseling strategies for smoking cessation, drawn from current US Public Health Service guidelines, are incorporated in each treatment module. All participants will be provided with the American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking guide to aid in their quit attempt.
6
Total18

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up120

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicMindfulnessInteroceptive Exposure (Practice Quitting)Behavioral Activation (Countering Emotional Behaviors)Total
Age, Continuous56.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.1
61.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.4
63.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4
60.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
5 Participants6 Participants6 Participants17 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
5 Participants5 Participants6 Participants16 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants2 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
6 Participants4 Participants4 Participants14 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants4 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 60 / 60 / 6
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 60 / 60 / 6
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 60 / 60 / 6

Outcome results

Primary

Number of Participants Who Achieved 24-hour Smoking Abstinence at End-of-treatment

The clinical endpoint will be achievement of 24-hour smoking abstinence at end-of-treatment, as verified by CO \< 5 ppm.

Time frame: 24 hours post-quit date

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
MindfulnessNumber of Participants Who Achieved 24-hour Smoking Abstinence at End-of-treatment1 Participants
Interoceptive Exposure (Practice Quitting)Number of Participants Who Achieved 24-hour Smoking Abstinence at End-of-treatment1 Participants
Behavioral Activation (Countering Emotional Behaviors)Number of Participants Who Achieved 24-hour Smoking Abstinence at End-of-treatment2 Participants
Secondary

Percent Change in Smoking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (SMQ-R) Average Score

The secondary outcome is percent change in Smoking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (SMQ-R) average score. The SMQ-R measures the construct of smoking for affect regulation (i.e., smoking to improve mood or reduce distress). SMQ-R average score is computed as the average of 13 items, each assessed on a 0 to 100 scale, with higher scores indicating greater smoking for affect regulation.

Time frame: Through active treatment phase (approximately 4 weeks)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
MindfulnessPercent Change in Smoking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (SMQ-R) Average Score-0.11 Percent score changeStandard Deviation 0.24
Interoceptive Exposure (Practice Quitting)Percent Change in Smoking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (SMQ-R) Average Score-0.32 Percent score changeStandard Deviation 0.25
Behavioral Activation (Countering Emotional Behaviors)Percent Change in Smoking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (SMQ-R) Average Score-0.11 Percent score changeStandard Deviation 0.2

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026