A feasibility study with embedded pilot randomised controlled trial and process evaluation of electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation in patients with periodontitis

Introduction:
This text discusses a feasibility study on the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as a smoking cessation aid in patients with periodontitis. The study aimed to assess the viability of delivering and evaluating an e-cigarette intervention in the dental setting, prior to a definitive study. The text includes the study design, methods, and results of the pilot trial and process evaluation.

Key Points:

* The study was a two-armed, parallel group, individually randomized, controlled trial, with 1:1 allocation.
* Participants received standard non-surgical periodontal therapies and brief smoking cessation advice. The intervention group additionally received an e-cigarette starter kit with brief training.
* Proposed outcomes for a future definitive trial, in terms of smoking behavior and periodontal/oral health, were collected over 6 months.
* The study found that 90% of the intervention group used the e-cigarette at the quit date and 72% of those who completed the study were still using the e-cigarette at the end of the study.
* The majority of the outcome measures were successfully collected, but the weekly smoking questionnaire had poor completion rates.
* The study suggests that a definitive trial is feasible and that the intervention may improve smoking quit rates.

Main Message:
The study provides valuable insights into the feasibility of delivering and evaluating an e-cigarette intervention for smoking cessation in the dental setting. The results suggest that the intervention may improve smoking quit rates and that a definitive trial is warranted. However, the study also highlights the need for further research to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation or reduction tool in this context. Overall, the study provides a solid foundation for future research in this area.

Holliday, Richard, Philip M. Preshaw, Vicky Ryan, Falko F. Sniehotta, Suzanne McDonald, Linda Bauld, and Elaine McColl. “A Feasibility Study with Embedded Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial and Process Evaluation of Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation in Patients with Periodontitis.” Pilot and Feasibility Studies 5, no. 1 (December 2019): 74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-019-0451-4.