Informing population-specific smoking policy development for college campuses: An observational study

INTRODUCTION In Canada, young adults have the highest smoking rates among all other population groups and specifically college students are at a higher risk. To implement effective policies that can prevent smoking and increase cessation, a populationspecific approach is recommended. METHODS Smoking and non-smoking young adults enrolled in a college program were recruited. Participants who did not smoke were asked to complete questionnaires about their demographics, college experience and the college environment. Additionally, they completed The Perceived Stress Scale and The Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale. Students who were current smokers completed the same questionnaires with the addition of one questionnaire about their smoking behaviors. Percentages, means and standard deviations were used to describe the variables of interest and a chi-squared analysis was performed, when possible, to test the difference in response frequency between smoking and nonsmoking participants. RESULTS Differences were observed between smoking (n=65) and non-smoking students (n=214). Specifically, smokers were more likely to have a family member that smoked and to participate in binge drinking. Both groups indicated that they are unaware of campus smoking regulations; however smokers were more opposed to implementing smoke-free policies. CONCLUSIONS College students are unaware of campus smoking regulations. The descriptive information and differences observed between smoking and non-smoking students in this study should be taken into consideration when developing future smoking regulations/policies on college campuses

The effects of acute exercise on tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms in temporary abstinent pregnant smokers

Introduction: Smoking during pregnancy is common, and quitting at any point during pregnancy can yield benefits to both the fetus and mother. Smoking cessation is typically followed by withdrawal symptoms and a strong desire to smoke, both of which are likely to contribute to relapse. Research has shown that a bout of exercise minimizes cravings and tobacco withdrawal symptoms (TWS) after temporary abstinence in smokers, but these findings have not been replicated in pregnant smokers. This study examined the effect of 20. min of exercise on cravings (primary outcome) and TWS (secondary outcomes) among temporary abstinent, inactive pregnant smokers. Methods: Thirty female smokers (Mean(M) age = 25.7. years, Standard Deviation(SD) = 5.5; M weeks pregnant = 18.2, SD = 5.3; Fagerstrom Test for Cigarette Dependence = 3.3, SD = 2.2; M 9.3 cigarettes/day, SD = 4.7; M hours abstained = 17.2, SD = 2.8) were randomized to 20. min of mild-to-moderate intensity exercise (EC; n= 14) or passive (PC; n= 16) condition. Cravings and TWS were assessed immediately before, during (at 10. min), immediately post, and at 10, 20, and 30. min post-condition. Results: A 2 (condition)×6 (time) repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the EC significantly (p\u3c0.05) reduced cravings (ή2=0.46) compared with the PC, across time. Non-significant, but nevertheless, large effects were evident favouring the EC over time for TWS restlessness (ή2=0.34), stress (ή2=0.24), irritability (ή2=0.21), tension (ή2=0.15), and depression (ή2=0.14). Conclusions: Consistent with previous research, this study reveals that in pregnant smokers, a bout of exercise is associated with a reduction in cravings and similar patterns exist for TWS. Therefore, exercise may have the potential to assist in the initial stages of smoking cessation attempts during pregnancy. © 2013

2nd Annual Faculty Research & Innovation Day Program

https://first.fanshawec.ca/cri_cripublications/1001/thumbnail.jp

2015 Research & Innovation Day Program

A one day showcase of applied research, social innovation, scholarship projects and activities.https://first.fanshawec.ca/cri_cripublications/1002/thumbnail.jp

The getting physical on cigarettes trial: rationale and methods

Smoking cessation success rates are generally dismal amongst self-quitters, with a discrepancy apparent among sexes with women having lower cessation rates than men (Osler, Prescott, Godtfredsen, Hein, & Schnohr, 1999; Royce, Corbett, Sorensen, & Ockene, 1997; Wetter et al., 1999). The Getting Physical on Cigarettes project aims to be the first clinical trial to appropriately evaluate the effectiveness of home-based lifestyle exercise maintenance program in assisting women to prevent smoking relapse and maintain exercise and weight following the termination of a structured and supervised exercise and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) smoking cessation intervention. This paper outlines the rationale and methods of the trial - a supervised exercise and NRT program lasting 14 weeks, which is followed by a home-based exercise maintenance program. Sedentary female smokers will be randomized into one of four research arms: Exercise Maintenance; Exercise Maintenance + Relapse Prevention Booklets; Relapse Prevention Booklets + Contact; Contact Control. The Exercise Maintenance groups will be counseled on maintaining exercise in their home environment, while the other groups will be counseled on health issues not involving exercise or smoking. The "Forever Free" booklet series (Brandon, Collins, Juliano, & Lazev, 2000) will be distributed to participants in the Relapse Prevention groups. The primary outcome measure is continuous smoking abstinence. Secondary outcomes are exercise behaviour, and selected physiological and psychological variables. Results will assist researchers and health professionals develop and implement similar treatment interventions that are grounded in behaviour change theory

Informing population-specific smoking policy development for college campuses: An observational study

Introduction In Canada, young adults have the highest smoking rates among all other population groups and specifically college students are at a higher risk. To implement effective policies that can prevent smoking and increase cessation, a populationspecific approach is recommended. Methods Smoking and non-smoking young adults enrolled in a college program were recruited. Participants who did not smoke were asked to complete questionnaires about their demographics, college experience and the college environment. Additionally, they completed The Perceived Stress Scale and The Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale. Students who were current smokers completed the same questionnaires with the addition of one questionnaire about their smoking behaviors. Percentages, means and standard deviations were used to describe the variables of interest and a chi-squared analysis was performed, when possible, to test the difference in response frequency between smoking and nonsmoking participants. Results Differences were observed between smoking (n=65) and non-smoking students (n=214). Specifically, smokers were more likely to have a family member that smoked and to participate in binge drinking. Both groups indicated that they are unaware of campus smoking regulations; however smokers were more opposed to implementing smoke-free policies. Conclusions College students are unaware of campus smoking regulations. The descriptive information and differences observed between smoking and non-smoking students in this study should be taken into consideration when developing future smoking regulations/policies on college campuses

Feasibility of an exercise intervention for fatigued breast cancer patients at a Community-Based cardiac rehabilitation program

Purpose: Exercise is beneficial to quality of life after cancer treatment, yet few cancer survivors meet exercise guidelines. Our study sought to determine the feasibility of an oncology rehabilitation exercise program embedded within a cardiac rehabilitation program. Methods: Patients who rated their fatigue \u3e4/10 after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer were screened for eligibility and the outcomes were assessed (Piper Fatigue Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast [FACT-B], Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, body composition, stress test, and physical activity measurement [accelerometer]). Participants received individualized exercise prescription. Following the 16-week program, repeat assessment plus patient acceptance and satisfaction survey was completed. The primary end point was the composite of accrual rate \u3e25%, program adherence \u3e80%, and mean compliance with accelerometer use \u3e80%. Results: Twenty of 24 screened patients consented to the study and completed the baseline assessment. Adherence was 30.3%. Mean accelerometer use was 3.88/7 days (78%). Fatigue at baseline was rated at 4.82/10, and at 3.59 (p =0.09) after the intervention. Overall well-being (FACT-B) score changed from 92.7 to 98.3 (p =0.05). There were no significant changes in body composition (except for bone mineral content), aerobic exercise capacity, or activity patterns. Conclusion: Although the primary outcome was not met, our study indicates that an oncology exercise rehabilitation program can be incorporated into an existing cardiac rehabilitation program. Based on feedback received, we propose that in order to achieve exercise goals, frequent, encouraging, and tailored feedback and group sessions to foster a sense of community may additionally be needed to strengthen adherence to a prescribed exercise program

Smoking zones versus smoke-free zones on Canadian post-secondary campuses: Which zone is more effective, adhered to and preferred?

Introduction This study aims to determine if smokers at post-secondary campuses are more likely to adhere to smoke-free zones (areas where smoking is not permitted) or smoking zones (areas where smoking is permitted) based on preference and effectiveness. Methods A self-reported survey was developed and administered at two postsecondary institutions; Western University (smoke-free zones) and Fanshawe College (smoking zones). Smokers were asked how often they use these zones, which zone is preferred and which zone they think is more effective. A chisquared analysis was performed to determine if there were differences in the frequency of responses. Results A total of 239 surveys were collected, 119 from Western and 120 from Fanshawe. Of these, 87% of respondents at Fanshawe were aware of where they could smoke on campus, and 67% reported that they mostly or always used these spaces. At Western, significantly fewer respondents knew where to smoke (57%), and only 30% reported mostly or always using appropriate zones (p<0.05). More participants at Fanshawe indicated that they had been told by someone in authority where they could smoke (36%) compared to Western (19%, p<0.05). At Fanshawe, 63% of respondents stated that smoking zones mostly or always effectively indicated where it was appropriate to smoke on campus compared to only 18% at Western (p<0.05). Both groups indicated they preferred the zone they currently had. Finally, more participants from Fanshawe intend to quit smoking within 6 months (61% from Fanshawe vs 49% from Western, p<0.05). Conclusions Smoking zones on post-secondary campuses may be more effective and adhered to by smokers than smoke-free zones

The effects of acute exercise on tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms in temporary abstinent pregnant smokers

Introduction: Smoking during pregnancy is common, and quitting at any point during pregnancy can yield benefits to both the fetus and mother. Smoking cessation is typically followed by withdrawal symptoms and a strong desire to smoke, both of which are likely to contribute to relapse. Research has shown that a bout of exercise minimizes cravings and tobacco withdrawal symptoms (TWS) after temporary abstinence in smokers, but these findings have not been replicated in pregnant smokers. This study examined the effect of 20. min of exercise on cravings (primary outcome) and TWS (secondary outcomes) among temporary abstinent, inactive pregnant smokers.&nbsp; Methods: Thirty female smokers (Mean(M) age = 25.7. years, Standard Deviation(SD) = 5.5; M weeks pregnant = 18.2, SD = 5.3; Fagerstrom Test for Cigarette Dependence = 3.3, SD = 2.2; M 9.3 cigarettes/day, SD = 4.7; M hours abstained = 17.2, SD = 2.8) were randomized to 20. min of mild-to-moderate intensity exercise (EC; n= 14) or passive (PC; n= 16) condition. Cravings and TWS were assessed immediately before, during (at 10. min), immediately post, and at 10, 20, and 30. min post-condition.&nbsp; Results: A 2 (condition)&times;6 (time) repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the EC significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced cravings (ή2=0.46) compared with the PC, across time. Non-significant, but nevertheless, large effects were evident favouring the EC over time for TWS restlessness (ή2=0.34), stress (ή2=0.24), irritability (ή2=0.21), tension (ή2=0.15), and depression (ή2=0.14).&nbsp; Conclusions: Consistent with previous research, this study reveals that in pregnant smokers, a bout of exercise is associated with a reduction in cravings and similar patterns exist for TWS. Therefore, exercise may have the potential to assist in the initial stages of smoking cessation attempts during pregnancy