Helping Loved Ones Quit — Mayo Clinic Launches Smoking Cessation Support Study for Minnesota Residents

Thursday, December 27, 2007

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers are launching a study to examine which coaching and education methods are effective for encouraging, prompting or motivating a smoker to seek help to quit smoking.

Non-smokers ages 18 and older who want to learn new ways to encourage a friend or family member to seek help to quit smoking are eligible to enroll in this research study. Participants will receive educational materials by mail and telephone, and remuneration is offered. The support person and smoker must be Minnesota residents, and the study participant must anticipate contact with the smoker at least three days a week for the 26 weeks of the study.

Commitment, support and time are important tools to call upon when a person is struggling to stop smoking. Whether they are family members or close friends, people who are concerned about and support a cigarette smoker who is trying to quit can play a key role in this process. Many people who find themselves in this role don't know what to say and do — participating in this study will provide them tools.

"For many people, the beginning of a new year represents a good time to take steps toward quitting smoking," says Christi Patten, Ph.D., the Mayo Clinic clinical psychologist leading this study. "Research has shown that positive support and encouragement from someone who cares about a smoker can be effective in helping that person to quit. This study is designed to identify the best ways to teach support people how to help."

For information regarding the study, call (800) 957-2950 (toll-free) or e-mail mayosupport@mayo.edu. Information on other research studies (healthy volunteer or patient opportunities) can be found at http://clinicaltrials.mayo.edu.

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