intEgrating Smoking Cessation treatment As part of usual Psychological care for dEpression and anxiety (ESCAPE): A randomised and controlled, multi‐centre, acceptability and feasibility trial with nested qualitative methods

• DOI: 10.1111/add.16718
• Publication Date: 2025-03-12T00:41:36Z
• Authors: Gemma M. J. Taylor; Katherine Sawyer; Pamela Jacobsen; Tom P. Freeman; Anna Blackwell; Shadi Daryan; Chris Metcalfe; David Kessler; Marcus R. Munafò; Paul Aveyard
• Keywords: Depression; Patient Health Questionnaire

Abstract Background and aim There is evidence that smoking cessation may improve depression anxiety symptoms. We assessed the feasibility of implementing trialling a intervention in services providing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for common mental illness. Design, setting participants This study was pragmatic, two‐armed, randomised, multi‐centre, acceptability trial co‐designed (ISRCTN99531779) involving United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS)‐funded treating or among four NHS Trusts. Participants comprised adult daily smokers starting CBT [mean age 35.6 years, standard deviation (SD) = 12.7, 89.6% white] who smoked 14.3 (SD 8.2) cigarettes/day with mean Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire‐7 (GAD‐7) Patient Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) scores 13.1 4.9) 14.5 6.0). Sixty‐eight were allocated to treatment group 67 control. Intervention control Both groups received anxiety. The also up 12 sessions integrated support. signposted post‐treatment. Measurements Follow‐up at 3 6 months. primary outcome ‘study completion’ by Other outcomes included acceptability, satisfaction, feasibility, data completeness health. Findings At months, did not affect completion [odds ratio (OR) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31 2.09], harm health (PHQ‐9 difference: coefficient 0.01, CI −2.19 2.22); GAD‐7: 0.65, −1.59 2.90), but increased abstinence rates (OR 8.69, 1.11 396.26). Recruitment acceptable key stakeholders satisfied intervention. Conclusions Among UK receiving anxiety, within well received, interfere goals cessation.