Credibility Beliefs towards Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Exercise as Smoking Cessation Aids

Objective: The aim of the current study was to examine smokers’ beliefs towards the credibility of exercise and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) as cessation aids while partaking in a quit-smoking program. Method: A subsample (n = 149) of female smokers underwent a 14-week cessation program involving exercise and NRT. Credibility beliefs were collected at baseline (before quitting), week 5 (one week after quitting), and week 14 (end of program). Smoking status was assessed at week 14 by breath expired into a carbon monoxide (CO) reader. Participants who demonstrated a CO score of < 6 ppm were considered “quitters” and those who had levels of ≥ 6 ppm or failed to attend the assessment were considered “smokers”. Results: Quitters’ exercise and NRT credibility beliefs significantly increased over time; however, no treatment by time interaction effect was found. No significant differences were found between smokers’ and quitters’ exercise and NRT credibility beliefs assessed at baseline. A significant difference was found between smokers’ and quitters’ week 5 exercise credibility scores, but not for week 5 NRT. Conclusions: For clinicians prescribing exercise as a smoking cessation aid, it is recommended that their patients’ treatment credibility beliefs be assessed and reinforced, particularly during their first week of quitting.