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Table 1 Treatment and assessment schedule

From: Attentional bias retraining in cigarette smokers attempting smoking cessation (ARTS): Study protocol for a double blind randomised controlled trial

Session Treatment Measures
Baseline (week −2) Withdrawal-oriented behavioural support •  Baseline questionnaire [demographics, smoking history, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND)]
•  Mood and Physical Symptoms Scale (MPSS)
•  Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO)
•  Attentional bias assessment (visual probe and Stroop tasks)
Pre-quit visit (week −1) Randomisation week 1 week supply nicotine patches Withdrawal-oriented behavioural support Intervention group receives attentional retraining (AR). Control group receives placebo training (PT) •  CO
•  MPSS
•  VAS measure of craving (pre & post cue exposure task)
Quit day (week 0) 1 week supply nicotine patches Withdrawal-oriented behavioural support Intervention group receives AR Control group receives PT •  CO
•  MPSS
Post-quit visits (weeks +1, +2, +3) 1 week supply nicotine patches Withdrawal-oriented behavioural support Intervention group receives AR. Control group receives PT •  CO
•  MPSS
•  Lapses recorded on electronic diary
Week +4 post-quit visit 4 week supply nicotine patches Withdrawal-oriented behavioural support •  CO
•  MPSS
•  Attentional bias assessment (visual probe and Stroop tasks)
•  VAS measure of craving (pre & post cue exposure task)
•  Group allocation assessment
•  Lapses recorded on electronic diary (up to +5 weeks) thereafter reported in clinic CRF
Week +8 post-quit visit 4 week supply transdermal nicotine patches (where eligible) •  CO
•  MPSS
•  Attentional bias assessment (visual probe and Stroop tasks)
•  VAS measure of craving (pre & post cue exposure task)
•  Lapses reported in clinic CRF
3 months post-quit visit   •  CO
•  MPSS
•  Attentional bias assessment
•  (visual probe and Stroop tasks)
•  VAS measure of craving (pre & post cue exposure task)
•  Lapses reported in clinic CRF
6 months post-quit visit   •  CO
•  MPSS
•  Attentional bias assessment (visual probe and pictorial Stroop tasks)
•  VAS measure of craving (pre & post cue exposure task)
•  Lapses reported in clinic CRF
•  Patient satisfaction questionnaire
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BMC Public Health

ISSN: 1471-2458

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