INTRODUCTION: There is significant variation in the format and delivery of group-based smoking cessation programs. To guide research and healthcare program implementation, it is important to understand the active components of interventions. This review aimed to (1) identify BCTs used in effective group-based smoking cessation interventions, (2) determine the effectiveness of group-based smoking cessation interventions on smoking cessation at six-month follow-up, and (3) identify the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) related to effective group-based smoking cessation.
METHODS: The following databases were searched in January 2000 and March 2022: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. BCTs used in each study were extracted using the BCT Taxonomy. Studies that included identified BCTs were computed and meta-analyses were conducted to evaluate smoking cessation at six-month follow-up.
RESULTS: A total of 28 BCTs were identified from 19 Randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Studies included an average of 5.42±2.0 BCTs. The most frequent BCTs were 'information about health consequences' and 'problem solving'. The pooled six-month smoking cessation was higher in the group-based intervention group (OR=1.75,95%CI=1.12-2.72, p<0.001). Inclusion of the following four BCTs: 'Problem solving'; 'Information about health Consequences'; 'Information about social and environmental consequences'; and 'Reward (outcome)' were found to be significantly associated with increased rate of six-month smoking cessation.
CONCLUSIONS: Group-based smoking cessation interventions double the rate of smoking cessation at six-month follow up. Implementing group-based smoking cessation programs, that incorporate multiple BCTs, is recommended for an effective smoking cessation care.
IMPLICATIONS: Group-based smoking cessation programs improves smoking cessation outcomes in clinical trials. There is a need to incorporate effective individual BCTs techniques to enhance smoking cessation treatment outcomes. A robust evaluation is required to assess the effectiveness of group-based cessation programs in real world settings. There is also a need to consider the differential effectiveness of group-based programs and BCT impacts on populations e.g., Indigenous peoples. |
