Effect of Stress-management and Biofeedback on Craving in Smoking Abstinence: A Pilot Study

Craving is one of the most prominent reasons for relapse after smoking cessation. Mainly pharmacological aids (NRT, bupropion, varenicline) try to counter this condition. This project aims to evaluate the effect of stress-management and a short breathing technique, reinforced by means of visualisation , on the experience of craving in smokers who are prepared to stay abstinent for at least 3 hours before the start of the intervention. It is expected that this strategy can provide supplementary gains in craving control.

• Behavioral: breathing technique
  breathing technique as a stress management technique, reinforced by biofeedback
• Behavioral: behavioral strategies
  the control group reads a paper on the properties and components of tobacco and on behavioural strategies to cope with craving

• Experimental: breathing technique group
  technique as a stress management technique, reinforced by biofeedback
  Intervention: Behavioral: breathing technique
• Placebo Comparator: no breathing technique
  the control group reads a paper on the properties and components of tobacco and on behavioural strategies to cope with craving
  Intervention: Behavioral: behavioral strategies

Inclusion Criteria:

• smokers (at least 10 cigarettes/day);
• 18 years of age or older;
• prepared to stay abstinent for 3 hours before the start of the session;
• not prepared to stop smoking;
• Dutch speaking.

Exclusion Criteria:

• acute health related problems;
• psychiatric co-morbidities;
• quit attempts in the past 3 months;
• participation in other clinical trials.