A new study has explored combining smoking cessation with mental health care.
The research, published in Addiction, focused on individuals suffering from depression and anxiety, examining the feasibility and acceptability of this approach.
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust helped to recruit participants, ensuring a diverse and representative sample, and Professor Paul Aveyard from the University of Oxford was a contributing author.
The study, led by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre and Gemma M J Taylor from the University of Bristol, involved a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial across four NHS trusts in England.
Titled 'ESCAPE: Integrating smoking cessation treatment as part of usual psychological care for depression and anxiety', it aimed to assess the impact of combining smoking cessation support with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Participants, daily smokers receiving CBT for depression or anxiety, received up to 12 sessions of integrated smoking cessation support.
The study found integrating smoking cessation support did not negatively impact the completion rates of CBT for depression and anxiety.
The intervention group showed higher quit rates and no evidence of worsening mental health symptoms compared to the control group.
Researchers say the study highlights the potential benefits of offering smoking cessation treatment within psychological services, which could improve both physical and mental health outcomes for individuals with common mental illnesses.
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