Treatment outcome evaluation methodology in smoking cessation: strengths and key issues

Dramatic improvements in both treatment evaluation and outcome have occurred in smoking cessation over the past 20 years. Key strengths include the use of multicomponent intervention strategies, objective outcome criteria, and relatively sophisticated research designs. Problems still remain, however, in establishing common definitions of success (or even of treatment participation), in describing treatment methodology, and in both defining and reducing subject attrition. Inadequate sample sizes have traditionally plagued studies in the smoking cessation field. Yet progress is being made in all of these areas. Prospects for further improvements in methodological sophistication and treatment outcome appear to be excellent.