Effects of instructions on responses to the nicotine patch: a laboratory study

Rationale Smokers have weak positive expectancies for nicotine replacement therapies relative to smoking (Juliano and Brandon, Nicotine Tob Res, 6:569-574, 2004). Objectives This study investigated if a manipulation designed to alter expectancies for the nicotine patch was effective in increasing positive expectancies for the patch and influencing smoking cessation outcomes during a 2-day abstinence period. Materials and methods Smokers (n=72) were randomly assigned to receive information that emphasized either patch benefits (n=25) or standard patch information including side effects (n=25). Participants wore placebo patches but were told that the patches contained nicotine. A control condition (n=22) was informed that they received placebo patches while given standard patch information to independently test the effect of the nicotine-dose instructional set on abstinence outcomes. Results Benefits information significantly increased positive expectancies for the patch and promoted positive mood during the abstinence period relative to the side effects information. Nicotine-dose instructions resulted in fewer lapsed cigarettes and higher ratings of patch helpfulness than placebo instructions. In particular, women's smoking behavior appeared to be more influenced by nicotine instructions than that of men. Conclusions The results of this preliminary study suggest that information provided to smokers about patch effects and nicotine content may influence behavioral and subjective outcomes of patch use.