Kelly E. Dunn, Stacey C. Sigmon, Colleen S. Thomas, Sarah H. Heil, & Stephen T. Higgins. (2008)
Voucher-based contingent reinforcement of smoking abstinence among methadone-maintained patients: A pilot study.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
41, 527-538.
This study evaluated the efficacy of a contingency management (CM) intervention
to promote smoking cessation in methadone-maintained patients. Twenty participants,
randomized into contingent (n = 10) or noncontingent (n = 10) experimental conditions,
completed the 14-day study. Abstinence was determined using breath carbon monoxide
and urine cotinine levels. Contingent participants received voucher-based incentives
for biochemical evidence of smoking abstinence. Noncontingent participants earned
vouchers independent of smoking status. Contingent participants achieved significantly
more smoking abstinence and longer durations of continuous smoking abstinence
than did noncontingent participants. These results support the potential efficacy of using
voucher-based CM to promote smoking cessation among methadone-maintained patients.
DESCRIPTORS: contingency management, methadone maintenance, smoking cessation