Systematic review and meta-analysis of combination therapy for smoking cessation (Shah, Wilken, Winkler & Lin, 2008).
The Journal of the American Pharmacists Association has published an article analyzing the efficacy of combination therapy (counseling and nicotine replacement therapy) in comparison to single therapy treatment. This meta-analysis conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health sought to investigate if counseling in tandem with NRT utilization garnered improved results in cessation rates in comparison to utilizing NRT's or therapy alone.
Results of the study found that combination therapy achieved statsistically significant higher rates of cessation and abstinence than monotherapy interventions. These results lend further credence to the idea that while NRT's are an important tool in tobacco-dependence interventions, greater levels of success are achieved when tobacco-dependence related counseling is built into treatment.
