Mindfulness Reduces Smoking

As a stand-alone treatment, mindfulness training seems effective for smoking cessation.

Mindfulness training (MT) has been incorporated into cognitive therapy, relapse prevention, and acceptance and commitment therapy for smoking cessation. This 4-week, randomized, controlled study tested the efficacy of MT as a stand-alone treatment.

Eighty-eight smokers interested in quitting (mean age, 46; 62% men; average use, 20 cigarettes/day; mean previous quit attempts, 5) underwent MT or the American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking (FFS) program, a manual-based and validated smoking cessation treatment. People on psychotropic medications or with comorbid substance use disorders were excluded. Both treatments involved twice-weekly group sessions for 4 weeks; follow-up occurred through week 17. MT focused on awareness and accepta…

Reviewing Author

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

Mindfulness Reduces Smoking

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Reviewing Author