The effects of contingent payment and frequent workplace monitoring on smoking abstinence

Addict Behav. 1989;14(2):121-8. doi: 10.1016/0306-4603(89)90041-5.

Abstract

This study examined the relative contribution of contingent payment and worksite CO monitoring to the long-term maintenance of smoking abstinence. Forty-seven hospital employees who had abstained from smoking for five days (confirmed by CO analysis) were randomly assigned to one of three follow-up groups: (a) contingent payment/frequent monitoring (n = 17); (b) noncontingent payment/frequent monitoring (n = 16); or (c) non-contingent payment/infrequent monitoring (n = 14). Contingent payment combined with frequent CO monitoring delayed but did not ultimately prevent subjects relapse to smoking by the end of the six month follow-up. Contingent subjects maintained CO values less than or equal to 11 ppm significantly longer than did either the Non-contingent or the Control subjects (p = .03). CO monitoring alone had no effect on abstinence outcomes; both Noncontingent and Control subjects showed high rates of early relapse.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Behavior Therapy / methods*
  • Breath Tests
  • Carbon Monoxide / analysis
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation*
  • Occupational Health Services*
  • Smoking / psychology
  • Smoking / therapy*

Substances

  • Carbon Monoxide