This thesis deals with the possibility of using psychological coaching as a support method for smoking cessation. The theoretical section provides an overview of key information on the topics of coaching and smoking, with an emphasis primarily on the aspects applied in the qualitative research project, the description of which constitutes the content of the empirical section. On the basis of the author's preconceived original design which, in addition to the diagnostic and evaluation phases, comprised the essential stage of the three-month long coaching of nine smokers in different stages of the cessation process, the author sought to map the potential benefits, advantages and other aspects of the use of coaching as an innovative method, thusfar not commonly included among the established alternatives offered as smoking cessation intervention techniques. Keywords: coaching, smoking, tobacco dependence, smoking cessation, quitting smoking

This dissertation deals with the issue of smoking. Its practical part specifies several objectives, one of them being finding out whether the prevalence of smoking within the population is dependant upon the attained qualifications. Establishing the respondents{\crq} views on the harm of smoking is another goal. The approach of the respondents towards a smoking ban in restaurants is demonstrated in this dissertation, so is their awareness of quitting-smoking methods. The decision to give up is also affected by the knowledge and understanding of all the risks bred by smoking, therefore determining the level of the respondents{\crq} awareness of these health risks is another aim of this dissertation. A quantitative research was used in my dissertation to obtain results. A questionnaire of 18 questions was answered by 211 addressed respondents being in the age group of 45-60 years of age. Analysing the outcome it can be said that the prevalence of smoking within the population is not dependant upon the attained qualifications. Nicotine dependence is referred to as a disease therefore the risk of developing an addiction is the same for everyone irrespective of the qualifications accomplished. Nonetheless, the outcome manifests the fact that smokers with lower qualifications smoke a higher amount of cigarettes a day as opposed to smokers with higher qualifications. Considering the results it can be, furthermore, assumed that smokers with lower qualifications are more tolerant towards the nicotine addiction and they feel less unpleasant in a smoky environment. Moreover, their favour for a smoking ban in restaurants and at working places is lower. At the same time, their awareness of possibilities to treat their nicotine addiction as well as of the negative health effects of smoking proved to be lower. Most smokers would like to quit their nicotine addiction (app. 50% lower- qualified individuals and 72% university and college graduates). However, only a very small percentage would seek any professional help when giving up smoking. The unwillingness to treat the nicotine addiction with the help of an expert reflects the unawareness of the severity of such addiction by the smokers themselves. Therefore, the prevention aimed at non-smokers is as important as effecting smokers so that they become more aware of the seriousness and vast consequences of their addiction.

Neuroactive steroids are a group of steroid hormones which act non-genomically to influence the neuron excitability of neuronal synapses. Addictive substances can interfere with the synthesis of neuroactive steroids through many mechanisms, affecting their levels and changing their functionality. At the same time, neuroactive steroids play a role in the development of addiction, since their levels change during attempts to quit and therefore affect the success of treatments for addiction. This study focuses on the relationships between individual addictive substances and neuroactive steroids, the individual functional mechanisms and how they influence each other. It is generally known that addictive substances result in the release of anxiolytics that act on neuroactive steroids. This plays a role in the development of addiction. We also describe in detail the effect of smoking on steroid hormones and the endocrine system in general. Using tobacco addition as a model, we studied the relationship between addiction and neuroactive steroids. As part of my doctoral studies we performed a prospective study that followed changes in the steroid spectra induced by smoking as well as when quitting smoking. We also developed a predictive model to predict the likelihood of success in treating tobacco...

Background: Tobacco dependence is among the strongest of addictions and smoking is a significant risk factor for a large number of diseases as well as premature death. New treatment options for tobacco dependence have emerged with the implementation of eHealth approach, especially those provided remotely. In the field of addictology we are mainly talking about applications for smoking cessation, which can be an attractive option for those who want to quit smoking, but their effectiveness needs to be further examined. Aims: The main objective of this study is to describe user experience of tobacco smokers using the online intervention Endre. Partial aims were to find how users rated the visual interface of the intervention, the user-friendliness and what method of cessation they would choose for their future atempts to quit. Material and methods: Data collection was carried out using a quantitative method of probability selection, namely a simple intentional (criteria) selection through an online questionnaire tool sent by e-mail to selected participants of the ongoing RCT study. The research group consisted of 105 respondents, of whom 60 were women and 45 men. To evaluate the collected data, MS excel was used, where frequency analyzes, summary statistics and testing of statistical hypotheses were...

Objective: to investigate awareness of customers of Prague pharmacies about the possibilities of treatment of tobacco dependence, including interventions by pharmacists. Methodology: the sample of around 200 respondents will consist of customers of selected Prague pharmacies who are currently smokers. To meet the research objectives, the following research questions were chosen: 1: How often in pharmacy are smokers interviewed about smoking? 2: What kind of smoking cessation support do them pharmacists offer? 3: Where would smokers search professional help with smoking cessation? 4: How much informed are smokers about professional help with quitting smoking in pharmacy? Data collection methods: data will be collected through anonymous questionnaires during an interview; data analysis will take place in MS Excel. Results and recommendations: the results of the questionnaire survey should identify smokers' experience with quitting smoking, including their knowledge of where to go for help to this end. The thesis can help to increase awareness among customers of pharmacies about the possibilities of quitting smoking offered in pharmacies and to increase confidence in pharmacies staff. As for recommendations, specific proposals and comments may be provided to pharmacies concerning smoking cessation advice.

(EN) Introduction: Tobacco dependence is one of the four major risk factors (RF), cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD). Objective: Analysis of CV risk of patients of our Center for Tobacco-Dependent. Methods: A retrospective assessment of the presence of CVD, RF for CVD and CV risk level according to the method SCORE in our patients - smokers from 2007 - 2009 (N = 1,349, 52.2% males, age range 25-64 years, mean age 44 ± 11, 7). CV risk was also evaluated one year after the baseline visit including newly diagnosed CVD RF, abstinence from smoking was validated by carbon monoxide in expired air. The results were compared to those of smokers in the study postMONICA (N = 1,122, 54.5% men, mean age 46 ± 11). Compared to the general population of smokers (postMONICA) significantly more Center patients had automatically high CV risk and CVD. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was comparable as well as prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia in smokers without automatically high CV risk. Significantly fewer Center patients without automatically high CV risk were obese, family history was also significantly lower risk. Significantly more women with low RF and significantly fewer men aged 55-59 and women aged 55-64 with SCORE ≥ 5% came to the Center. Success rate of Center patients with SCORE < 5 % was 44.3 %...

The principal aim of the thesis titled "Physiotherapy at Chronic Intensive Care Unit" (CICU) is to describe and analyze the not much known area of physiotherapy at the CICU and the various methods of its utilization. The thesis is structured in order to deal with the system at CICU, the typology of patients, physiotherapeutic methods and the ventilator modes. The patient should be taken care of by the multidisciplinary team which should cooperate in order to achieve a common goal - consecutive weaning followed by the liberating from the ventilator's support. The chapters about ergotherapy and psychological effects complete the overview of the topic. Practical part of the thesis consists of the survey file which represent the patient-family-doctor-physiotherapist point of view. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Background: The use of nicotine-containing tobacco is among the substances with the highest dependence potential. The negative impact and consequences of cigarette use are discussed not only among experts. In contrast, nicotine replacement therapy and user experience are unspecified. Aims: The primary goal of the research was to map the experience of clients of the National Tobacco Quitline Czech Republic with the use of nicotine replacement therapy in the treatment of tobacco addiction. The categories examined include: dosage of replacement nicotine, preferred forms of replacement nicotine, reported adverse effects, and route of administration of replacement nicotine. The study was carried out in order to refine the dosage of nicotine replacement therapy, increase the compliance of nicotine replacement users and increase the quality of services provided by the National Tobacco Quitline Czech Republic. Methods: The study was carried out with the help of a qualitative research methodology. Respondents were selected using the method of intentional selection according to defined properties. Data was created using a structured interview with open-ended questions and semi-structured interviews. The research data were processed using the open coding method and the method of capturing formulas was used...

Tobacco use is closely related to changes in body weight. Undesired weight gain following smoking cessation occurs in most patients. The mechanism responsible for changes in body weight post cessation are only partially understood. Several hypotheses have suggested a temporary increase in blood pressure following smoking cessation. In addition, weight concerns after quitting are common, and may affect tobacco dependence treatment outcomes. The aim of our study was to monitor changes in body weight, blood pressure, incretins and selected hormonal parameters among ex-smokers after three months of abstinence. We also examined factors associated with smoking-related weight concerns. We monitored and evaluated selected parameters (personal history, questionnaires, anthropometric, biochemical, hormonal) and compared before and after tobacco dependece treatment, if patients underwent such treatment. We found that smoking cessation was associated with weight gain. Smokers who were more tobacco dependent or more sedentary were at increased risk. The prevalence of diagnosis hypertension did not differ among non-smokers, former smokers and smokers adjusting for age and BMI. In the pilot phase of our study we demonstrated that three months of smoking abstinence was associated with an increase in serum leptin...