Efficacy and Implementation of Exercise-based Smoking Cessation Treatment for Adults With High Anxiety Sensitivity

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a smoking cessation intervention tailored for adults with high anxiety sensitivity, which is the fear of bodily sensations that may contribute to continued smoking and relapse. This study aims to determine if a personalized program delivered through the YMCA is effective among racially and ethnically diverse groups. The investigation is a phase 3 randomized trial comparing different exercise intensities alongside standard cessation support to improve quitting success. Participants receive recommended smoking cessation treatments including counseling via the Texas Tobacco Quitline and nicotine replacement therapy with patches starting on the quit day (week 6). They are randomly assigned to either a high-intensity aerobic exercise group, exercising 75 minutes weekly at 60-85% heart rate reserve, or a low-intensity aerobic exercise group with 75 minutes weekly at 20-40% heart rate reserve. The exercise intervention lasts 15 weeks and is supervised by a personal fitness instructor at a YMCA branch. Throughout the study, participants are monitored for smoking abstinence at several time points, with the main outcome being 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 6 months after the quit attempt. Additional follow-ups occur at 9 and 12 months. Researchers track adherence to exercise, counseling interactions, and nicotine patch use. The total study duration includes initial assessments, a quit attempt at week 6, and follow-ups extending to 12 months. Safety and effectiveness are assessed without masking, and participants are from diverse backgrounds motivated to quit smoking.

Community-based Smoking Cessation Treatment for Adults With High Stress Sensitivity.