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 proposed research will develop and 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: Examine effects of psychological risk factor reduction on smoking outcome. We will conduct a pilot trial in which 62 participants are randomized to the multi-component behavioral treatment (9 weekly sessions) or self-guided treatment (mailing of printed self-help materials).The primary outcome is number of days abstinent for 2 weeks post-quit (range = 0-14 days).
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.