The short-term effectiveness of real-time video counselling on smoking cessation among residents in rural and remote areas: An interim analysis of a randomised trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nReal-time video counselling for smoking cessation uses readily accessible software (e.g. Skype). This study aimed to assess the short-term effectiveness of real-time video counselling compared to telephone counselling or written materials (minimal intervention control) on smoking cessation and quit attempts among rural and remote residents.\n\n\nMETHODS\nAn interim analysis of a three-arm, parallel group randomised trial with participants (n\xa0=\xa0655) randomly allocated to; 1) real-time video counselling; 2) telephone counselling; or 3) written materials only (minimal intervention control). Participants were daily tobacco users aged 18\xa0years or older residing in rural or remote areas of New South Wales, Australia. Video and telephone counselling conditions offered up to six counselling sessions while those in the minimal intervention control condition were mailed written materials. The study measured seven-day point prevalence abstinence, prolonged abstinence and quit attempts at 4-months post-baseline.\n\n\nRESULTS\nVideo counselling participants were significantly more likely than the minimal intervention control group to achieve 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 4-months (18.9% vs 8.9%, OR\xa0=\xa02.39 (1.34-4.26), p\xa0=\xa00.003), but the video (18.9%) and telephone (12.7%) counselling conditions did not differ significantly for 7-day point prevalence abstinence. The video counselling and minimal intervention control groups or video counselling and telephone counselling groups did not differ significantly for three-month prolonged abstinence or quit attempts.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nGiven video counselling may increase cessation rates at 4\xa0months post-baseline, quitlines and other smoking cessation services may consider integrating video counselling into their routine practices as a further mode of cessation care delivery.\n\n\nTRIAL REGISTRATION\nwww.anzctr.org.au ACTRN12617000514303.