Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology, Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1996. / The aim acupuncture of this study was to compare the treatment and homoeopathic treatment smoking cessation. The study was a clinical trial, in which an acupuncture treatment group group. Thirty was compared with a homoeopathic treatment volunteers who were anxious to stop smoking participated in the trial and were randomly divided into two groups. One group received acupuncture treatment (n=l5), while the other group received homoeopathic treatment (n=l5) in the form of isotherapy. The study took place over a period of 9 months and each participant completed a 3-month trial period. Prior to the trial period each sUbject completed a set of questionnaires. These ~ncluded the Fagerstrom Tolerance Test which determined their dependence on nicotine; a questionnaire to determine if the subject smoked predominantly for reduction of negative affect, for positive affect or as an habitualaddiction; and a questionnaire to determine the subject's estimation of the health risks of smoking. / M

Smoking cessation leads to weight gain but the reason for this gain is not clearly established. The objective of this study was to compare the mean change in dietary intake among quitters and non-quitters enrolled in a smoking cessation program. Mean dietary intake was measured using 24-hour recall over the telephone at baseline and 6 weeks after the scheduled 'quit date'. Baseline data were obtained from 177 subjects and 130 (73%) were recontacted with complete data. There were 47 quitters (27%). The mean self-reported weight gain among the quitters and non-quitters was 2.4 kg +/- 3.1 and 0.04 kg +/- 2.5 respectively (p = 0.001). Mean energy intake was the same at baseline between the quitters and non-quitters. There were statistically significant changes in dietary intake between quitters and non-quitters. Given the high within-individual variability (sd 832) this sample size was only sufficient to detect differences in the change in intake of approximately 460 kcals between quitters and non-quitters.

No description available.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / ‘Cigarette smoking is a modern day epidemic that poses a substantial health burden’, it has been proven that smokers die on average fourteen years earlier than non smokers as a direct result of their smoking. An abundance of evidence indicates that the health risks associated with cigarette smoking can however be reversed with a sufficient period of abstinence. Thus achieving life-long abstinence must be a health priority for both developing and developed countries (Caponnetto &, Polosa, 2008). Over 80% of smokers express a desire to stop smoking and 35% of them try to stop each year. However, less than 5% are successful in un-aided attempts to quit (American Psychiatric Association, 1995). The greatest challenge facing smokers who wish to quit are nicotine withdrawal symptoms; these include dysphoric or depressed mood, insomnia, irritability, frustration, anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, decreased heart rate and increased appetite or weight gain (American Psychiatric Association, 1995). The aim of this double blind placebo controlled quantitative study was to determine the effectiveness of a homoeopathic complex (Caladium seguinum 30 CH, Nux vomica 30 CH and Staphysagria delphinium 30 CH); a tautopathic preparation and the combined effect thereof, in the treatment of nicotine withdrawal syndrome as determined by the Tolerance Dependence Questionnaire, Smoking History and Perceptions of Treatment Questionnaire. Methodology Forty participants recruited by means of convenience sampling were randomly and equally divided into one of four treatment groups, namely tautopathic group, homoeopathic group, combined tautopathic and homoeopathic group and placebo group. The duration of the study was 2 weeks and two consultations with each participant were conducted. The respective interventions were administered in oral spray format; participants were asked to spray their respective preparations directly into their mouth three times daily and to repeat the dose whenever they had a craving for a cigarette. iv Measurements in the form of the Tolerance Dependence Questionnaire (Appendix D), Perceptions of Treatment Questionnaire (Appendix H), and Smoking History (Appendix G) were used to quantify response to treatment. Non-parametric statistical analysis was conducted to analyse the data. Results All four research groups experienced a statistically significant reduction in the amount of cigarettes smoked, favourable perceptions of their response to treatment and improved tolerance. Statistically however when the groups were compared with each other they were similar with respect to their tolerance to nicotine, perception of response to treatment and reduction in amount smoked. Although interventions were statistically similar in terms of effectiveness, the data does suggest that Tautopathy as an intervention warrants exploration. The Tautopathic group achieved the highest reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked when comparing medians (11 less smoked per day), achieved the highest percentage of participants who experienced reduced cravings, and the highest percentage of participants who would continue using the intervention (90% respectively) as well as improvements in 6/9 variables of the Tolerance Dependence Questionnaire. Conclusions The study concludes that each of the four subject groups (including placebo) proved to be successful in aiding the participant to cease smoking. The results showed a significantly positive perception of the participants to the interventions used. The influence of the placebo effect however was very evident in this study; in addition other factors such as the unique method of administration of the medication (oral spray format on demand) the Hawthorn effect and the participants’ desire/commitment to quit smoking may have contributed to the positive results obtained. Notwithstanding the above and although not statistically significant; positive trends within the data do suggest that the Tautopathic approach used in this study should be further investigated in future.

The vast majority of smokers who manage to quit do so without the assistance of a facilitated cessation program. Since the majority of focused anti-smoking efforts are directed at facilitated programs, there is an apparent gap in service of the population at risk. Also, the sharp decline in smoking prevalence indicates a changing demographic dynamic. It is probable that those persons still smoking comprise a different population type than did smokers of a decade ago. A reexamination of major strategies for self-quitting is strongly indicated.The purpose of this thesis was to apply what was known about addictive behavior to a self-guided quitting process. Major variables guiding this effort were learning theory, theory of self-change, empirically demonstrated methods of cessation, and psychosocial effects on lifestyle change.The knowledge gained during the process was incorporated into a menu approach that emphasized personal responsibility for the quitting process and allows for choices that serve to tailor the program to the individual's needs. The end result was a quitters' guide, desktop published and prepared in a small quantity for pilot purposes. This guide was evaluated by persons with particular expertise in addictive behavior, especially smoking cessation. An ammended product was then presented to smokers and/or former smokers for further feedback. A journal of the process that detailed both difficulties and successes was also included. / Fisher Institute for Wellness

The purpose of this research was to compare and contrast the components and characteristics of selected widely available smoking cessation programs.To reach this goal, an evaluation form was developed after an extensive review of the literature which addressed the structure, duration, techniques, issues which were discussed, success rates and availability of the programs. This form was tested for content validity by a jury of experts and was used to review each of thirteen selected smoking cessation programs. The reviews were conducted by the author using program materials received from the sponsoring organizations. Any questions which could not be answered with these materials were answered through a telephone interview with a representative of the sponsoring organization.Once the reviews were completed, the information was transferred to table form and to a database so that collective data could be generated. The following conclusions were drawn from the table and the data generated: the existing smoking cessation programs appear to have been developed utilizing suggestions offered in to use similar program techniques, and a great deal of variance exists in terms of success rates and cost. / Department of Physiology and Health Science