Successful implementation of a wellness and tobacco cessation curriculum in psychosocial rehabilitation clubhouses

Peer-Facilitated Tobacco Cessation in a Prison Setting: A Proof of Concept Study

Background

Despite the vast human and economic costs associated with tobacco use among U.S. inmates, smoking remains a largely ignored public health epidemic. Incarcerated individuals smoke at 3 to 4 times the rate of the general population and face tobacco-related health disparities.

Purpose

This paper reports results from a single arm, pre/post pilot study designed to test the feasibility and initial effectiveness of an inmate-administered group tobacco cessation intervention within a men’s pre-release program run by the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Methods

Corrections staff and inmate peer mentors were trained in the DIMENSIONS: Tobacco Free Program, a manualized 6-session tobacco cessation group curriculum. Group sessions used evidence-based interventions for assisting inmates develop skills to live tobacco and nicotine free. In 2019-2020, 39 men who reported tobacco use voluntarily participated in one of three cessation groups. Wilcoxen signed-rank tests evaluated changes across group sessions in frequency of tobacco use and attitudes about nicotine-free living post release.

Results

Most participants attended all six group sessions (79%) and made one or more quit attempts (78%). Overall, 24% of the sample reported quitting tobacco, and significant reductions in tobacco use were reported after only two sessions. Participants further reported significant positive changes in knowledge, plans, support, and confidence to live tobacco-free lives post-release.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that, with minimal investment, implementation of an evidence-based, peer-led tobacco free program is feasible and effective within an incarcerated population uniquely vulnerable to the burden of tobacco.

Addressing nutrition and physical activity in substance use disorder treatment: Client reports from a wellness-oriented, tobacco-free policy intervention

Introduction

Interest in wellness interventions in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is growing although evidence remains limited. This study evaluated nutrition, physical activity, nutrition and physical activity counseling, and relationships of counseling with wellness behavior before and after a wellness-oriented, tobacco-free policy intervention in 17 residential SUD programs.

Methods

Clients completed cross-sectional surveys reporting sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, physical activity, and receipt of nutrition and physical activity counseling before (n= 434) and after (n = 422) an 18-month intervention. Multivariable regression models assessed pre-post-intervention differences in these variables and examined associations of nutrition counseling with sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and physical activity counseling with physical activity.

Results

Post-intervention clients were 83% more likely than pre-intervention clients to report nutrition counseling (p = 0.024). There were no pre-post- differences for other variables. Past week sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was 22% lower among clients reporting nutrition counseling than for those who did not (p = 0.008) and this association did not vary by time (pre/post). There was a significant interaction of physical activity counseling receipt by time on past week physical activity (p = 0.008). Pre-intervention clients reporting physical activity counseling had 22% higher physical activity than those who did not; post-intervention clients reporting physical activity counseling had 47% higher physical activity.

Conclusion

A wellness policy intervention was associated with increased nutrition counseling. Nutrition counseling predicted lower sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Physical activity counseling predicted higher physical activity, an association that was greater post-intervention. Adding wellness components to tobacco-related interventions may promote health among SUD clients.

Smoking Behavior and Wellness among Individuals in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Tobacco-related morbidity and mortality disproportionately affect people with substance use disorders (SUD). Encouraging overall wellness may support tobacco use cessation. We investigated relationships between wellness (health status, physical activity, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption), cigarette smoking, and smoking cessation among SUD treatment patients to inform clinical care. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with 395 patients in 20 California residential SUD programs. Using multivariate regression, we examined associations between smoking status and wellness. Among smokers, we examined associations between lifetime smoking exposure, cessation behaviors and attitudes, and wellness. Compared to nonsmokers (n = 121), smokers (n = 274) reported more SSB consumption, poorer physical health, and more respiratory symptoms. Among smokers, SSB consumption and respiratory symptoms increased per ten pack-years of smoking. Smokers with respiratory symptoms reported higher motivation to quit and more use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Smokers with more days of poor mental health reported lower motivation to quit. Overall, cigarette smoking was associated with other health-risk behaviors among SUD treatment patients. Respiratory symptoms may increase, and poor mental health may decrease, SUD patients' intent to quit smoking. To reduce chronic disease risk among SUD patients, treatment programs should consider promoting overall wellness concurrently with smoking cessation.

Evaluation of Community-Based Cessation Programs: How Do Smokers with Behavioral Health Conditions Fare?

Though persons with behavioral health conditions experience large disparities in tobacco use, questions about the efficacy of evidence-based tobacco use treatment remain understudied in community health settings. This evaluation examined outcomes from eight community-based tobacco cessation programs for participants with and without behavioral health conditions (n = 974 participants). The majority (64.8%) of participants reported one or more current behavioral health conditions, including mental illness and/or substance abuse. Participants who used cessation medication during the program and who attended more counseling sessions had an increased likelihood of being quit at 4-month follow-up. Quit rates were between 9.8% (intent-to-treat rate) and 30.6% (responder rate); behavioral health status did not negatively affect reported quit rates. Findings add to the growing literature evaluating community-based interventions within the behavioral health population.

A Systematic Review of Evidence for the Clubhouse Model of Psychosocial Rehabilitation

The Clubhouse Model has been in existence for over sixty-five years; however, a review that synthesizes the literature on the model is needed. The current study makes use of the existing research to conduct a systematic review of articles providing a comprehensive understanding of what is known about the Clubhouse Model, to identify the best evidence available, as well as areas that would benefit from further study. Findings are summarized and evidence is classified by outcome domains. Fifty-two articles met the selection criteria of Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT's), quasi-experimental studies, or observational studies for domains of employment (N = 29); quality of life/satisfaction (N = 10); reductions in psychiatric hospitalization(s) (N = 10); social relationships (N = 10); education (N = 3); and health promotion activities (N = 2). RCT results support the efficacy of the Clubhouse Model in promoting employment, reducing hospitalization(s), and improving quality of life. Quasi-experimental and observational studies offer support in education and social domains. The findings from this review indicate that Clubhouses are a promising practice but additional studies using rigorous methods that report the strength of the outcomes are needed to evaluate Clubhouse programs with fidelity to the Clubhouse Model.

Implementation of a Quit Smoking Programme in Community Adult Mental Health Services-A Qualitative Study

Little is known about the experiences of people with severe mental health difficulties in smoking cessation interventions. This study aimed to review the implementation of a smoking cessation programme across 16 community mental health day services. The aim was to establish the experience from both service user and facilitator perspectives and refine implementation for future groups. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 service users and four focus groups held with 17 facilitators. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data for emergent themes in relation to key enablers and barriers to implementation. Data from service users and facilitators revealed that implementation was enabled by an open and engaged recruitment approach; the resourcefulness of facilitators; programme materials and group-based format; combining the cessation programme with other and broader health initiatives; and participants' motivations, including health and money. Barriers included the structure of the service; the lack of a joined-up approach across the health services; literacy issues and the serial/logical process assumed by the programme. Barriers perceived as more specific to those with mental health difficulties included the use of smoking as a coping mechanism, lack of alternative activities/structure and lack of consistent determination. The tobacco free policy, implemented shortly before the programme, interestingly emerged as both a barrier and an enabler. In conclusion, although this group-based cessation programme in community mental health settings was well-received overall, a number of key barriers persist. A joined-up approach which addresses the culture of smoking in mental health settings, inconsistencies in smoking policies, and provides consistent cessation support, is needed. Care needs to be taken with the timing as overall it may not be helpful to introduce a new smoking cessation programme at the same time as a tobacco free policy.

Pilot Implementation of a Wellness and Tobacco Cessation Curriculum in North Carolina Group Homes

Despite a steady decline in smoking rates in recent decades, individuals with mental illness continue to smoke at disproportionately higher rates than the general population. Adults with mental illness are motivated to quit and quit with rates similar to the general population when evidence-based cessation interventions are used. To build an evidence base for a wellness and cessation curriculum aimed at individuals with mental illness, the Breathe Easy Live Well (BELW) program was pilot tested in two group homes in North Carolina in the spring of 2014. Evaluators conducted pre- and post-implementation site visits and interviews with program instructors to assess outcomes as well as barriers and facilitators to implementation. Qualitative analysis of the data indicated that implementation was successful in both group homes, and the following themes emerged: (1) Training and technical assistance provided throughout implementation was sufficient; (2) Instructors used prior professional experiences and goal setting to facilitate program success and participant engagement; (3) Fostering positive coping strategies contributed to reports of reduced smoking; (4) Curriculum length may be a barrier to recruitment. Additional results included an increased interest among group home residents in more diligently managing mental illness symptoms and one group home moving the designated smoking area out of the direct path of the entrance/exit. Results of this pilot project suggest that BELW could be a potentially useful tool for group home staff to address health and wellness along with smoking cessation among individuals with mental illness.

The use of peer mentors to enhance a smoking cessation intervention for persons with serious mental illnesses

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated a well-specified peer mentor program that enhanced a professionally led smoking cessation group for persons with serious mental illnesses.

METHOD

Participants were 8 peer mentors, persons with serious mental illnesses who had successfully quit smoking, and 30 program participants, persons with serious mental illnesses enrolled in a 6-month intervention. Peer mentors were trained and then helped to deliver a smoking cessation group and met with program participants individually. We assessed the mentors' skills after training, their fidelity to the model, and the program's feasibility and acceptability. We also measured the smoking outcomes of the program participants including change in exhaled carbon monoxide, a measure of recent smoking, and aspects of the peer mentor-program participant relationship.

RESULTS

Peer mentors attained a mean score of 13.6/14 on role play assessments after training and delivered the intervention with fidelity as assessed by adherence and competence ratings (mean scores of 97% and 93%, respectively). The feasibility and acceptability of the intervention was demonstrated in that 28/30 participants met with their peer mentors regularly and only 1 participant and no peer mentor discontinued in the study. Both parties rated the interpersonal alliance highly, mean of 5.9/7. The program participants had a decline in carbon monoxide levels and number of cigarettes smoked per day (repeated measures ANOVA F = 6.04, p = .008; F = 15.87, p < .001, respectively). A total of 22/30 (73%) made a quit attempt but only 3 (10%) achieved sustained abstinence.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Our study adds to the growing literature about peer-delivered interventions.

What strategies are used to build practitioners' capacity to implement community-based interventions and are they effective?: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Numerous agencies are providing training, technical assistance, and other support to build community-based practitioners' capacity to adopt and implement evidence-based prevention interventions. Yet, little is known about how best to design capacity-building interventions to optimize their effectiveness. Wandersman et al. (Am J Community Psychol.50:445-59, 2102) proposed the Evidence-Based System of Innovation Support (EBSIS) as a framework to guide research and thereby strengthen the evidence base for building practitioners' capacity. The purpose of this review was to contribute to further development of the EBSIS by systematically reviewing empirical studies of capacity-building interventions to identify (1) the range of strategies used, (2) variations in the way they were structured, and (3) evidence for their effectiveness at increasing practitioners' capacity to use evidence-based prevention interventions.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched for English-language articles reporting findings of empirical studies of capacity-building interventions that were published between January 2000 and January 2014 and were intended to increase use of evidence-based prevention interventions in non-clinical settings. To maximize review data, studies were not excluded a priori based on design or methodological quality. Using the EBSIS as a guide, two researchers independently extracted data from included studies. Vote counting and meta-summary methods were used to summarize findings.

RESULTS

The review included 42 publications reporting findings from 29 studies. In addition to confirming the strategies and structures described in the EBSIS, the review identified two new strategies and two variations in structure. Capacity-building interventions were found to be effective at increasing practitioners' adoption (n = 10 of 12 studies) and implementation (n = 9 of 10 studies) of evidence-based interventions. Findings were mixed for interventions' effects on practitioners' capacity or intervention planning behaviors. Both the type and structure of capacity-building strategies may have influenced effectiveness. The review also identified contextual factors that may require variations in the ways capacity-building interventions are designed.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on review findings, refinements are suggested to the EBSIS. The refined framework moves the field towards a more comprehensive and standardized approach to conceptualizing the types and structures of capacity-building strategies. This standardization will assist with synthesizing findings across studies and guide capacity-building practice and research.

Peer Supports for Tobacco Cessation for Adults with Serious Mental Illness: A Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE: A relatively new approach to addressing tobacco use in mental health settings is the involvement of consumers or peers, defined as other individuals with mental health conditions, as service providers. This review examines the literature describing peer delivered supports for tobacco cessation for adults with serious mental illness. METHODS: The authors conducted a review of online databases to identify reports of tobacco cessation interventions in which peers play a key role in the provision of services to help other adults with serious mental illness to reduce or quit using tobacco. RESULTS: Our review yielded reports of four tobacco cessation interventions for persons with serious mental illness that include peer providers. The roles of peers in these interventions include that of co-leaders of an educational smoking cessation group, individual counselors as part of a multi-faceted tobacco treatment program, and as outreach tobacco cessation advocates. CONCLUSIONS: The roles of peers in these interventions are promising; however, more detail about the selection and experience of the peer providers, as well as the services they deliver in tobacco cessation interventions, would be helpful. In addition, rigorous research is needed to evaluate the impact of peer providers on reducing tobacco use in this population.