Contingency Management for Veteran Smokers Undergoing Major Elective Surgery

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · Nov 5, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new way to help military Veterans quit smoking before and after major elective surgeries. Smoking can lead to serious complications during recovery, so the researchers want to see if a mobile program that rewards participants for not smoking can make a difference. This program, called contingency management (CM), provides incentives when participants prove they have not smoked. The trial aims to create a tailored approach specifically for Veterans, making it easier for them to quit smoking during their surgical journey.

To be eligible for the study, participants must be English-speaking Veterans scheduled for major surgery within the next six weeks and currently smoking at least two cigarettes a day. They should also be willing to try smoking cessation support. Participants will receive support and guidance throughout the program, and their progress will be closely monitored. It's important to note that certain individuals, such as those with certain mental health conditions or currently enrolled in other smoking cessation trials, may not be eligible. This study represents an innovative step in helping Veterans improve their health and recovery outcomes related to surgery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • English-speaking;
• • Veteran enrolled in healthcare at SFVAHCS;
• • Veteran scheduled for major elective surgery within the next 6 weeks (including but not limited to: general, spinal, thoracic, vascular, urological, gynecological, orthopedic, gender affirming). Veterans, who are followed at SFVAHCS by Primary Care and are referred to outside institutions for major surgery (e.g., gynecological or gender-affirming surgeries) are also eligible to participate;
• • Current (past 30 days) cigarette smoking a minimum of 2 cigarettes per day (average), assessed by Timeline Followback (TLFB);
• • Open to receiving smoking cessation interventions.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Evaluated by investigative team medical record review and clinical assessment: - Psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, neurocognitive disorder, or other psychiatric or medical conditions judged by the PI to be unstable in the past 30 days, based on M.I.N.I. Neuropsychiatric Inventory (M.I.N.I.) and/or medical record review;
• • Untreated, current, active problem gambling, assessed by medical record diagnosis and/ or Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) score ≥ 8;
• • Enrollment in end of life/ palliative care;
• • Surgery with a clinical indication for cancer;
• • Unable to meet time commitment;
• • Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study (people of childbearing potential ages 18-55);
• • A suicide attempt or suicidal ideation with intent in the 30 days before enrollment;
• • Concurrent participation in another tobacco cessation trial.