Journal Article
Efficacy of Mindfulness Meditation for Smoking Cessation
Jan 23, 2017
RAND researchers conducted a systematic review that synthesized evidence from randomized controlled trials of mindfulness meditation interventions — used adjunctively or as monotherapy — to provide estimates of their efficacy and safety for treating tobacco use.
A Systematic Review
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RAND researchers conducted a systematic review that synthesized evidence from randomized controlled trials of mindfulness meditation interventions — used adjunctively or as monotherapy — to provide estimates of their efficacy and safety for treating tobacco use.
The primary outcome of interest was smoking/tobacco cessation. Other outcomes of interest included reduction in use, decrease in cravings, health-related quality of life, and adverse events. Meta-analyses for efficacy outcomes were conducted using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random-effects models. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (or GRADE) approach.
Nine studies met inclusion criteria. Studies compared mindfulness training for smokers, mindfulness training, and a mindfulness-based smoking cessation program with American Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking program, quitline counseling, interactive learning, or treatment as usual. Intervention duration and intensity varied considerably. Meta-analyses for smoking cessation and cigarettes smoked per day indicated no statistically significant differences between mindfulness interventions and comparator interventions. Analysis suggested effects vary by type of intervention. Only three studies reported on adverse events; they stated that there were no reportable medication reactions associated with the adjunctive nicotine replacement treatment or that no serious adverse events occurred.
We conclude that the body of evidence for mindfulness meditation for the treatment of tobacco use is very limited. Additional high-quality studies with samples large enough to detect effects and confirming smoking cessation through biochemical means are suggested.
Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter Two
Methods
Chapter Three
Results
Chapter Four
Discussion
Appendix A
Search Strategy
Appendix B
Excluded Full-Text Articles
Appendix C
Evidence Table of Included Studies
This research was sponsored by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury and conducted within the Forces and Resources Policy Center of the RAND National Defense Research Institute, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Combatant Commands, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the defense agencies, and the defense Intelligence Community.
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