Effects of voucher-based incentives on abstinence from cigarette smoking and fetal growth among pregnant women

  1. Sarah H. Heil1,2,*,
  2. Stephen T. Higgins1,2,
  3. Ira M. Bernstein3,
  4. Laura J. Solomon2,4,
  5. Randall E. Rogers1,
  6. Colleen S. Thomas5,
  7. Gary J. Badger5,
  8. Mary Ellen Lynch1

Article first published online: 28 JUN 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02237.x

Issue

Addiction

Addiction

Volume 103, Issue 6, pages 1009–1018, June 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Heil, S. H., Higgins, S. T., Bernstein, I. M., Solomon, L. J., Rogers, R. E., Thomas, C. S., Badger, G. J. and Lynch, M. E. (2008), Effects of voucher-based incentives on abstinence from cigarette smoking and fetal growth among pregnant women. Addiction, 103: 1009–1018. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02237.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Departments of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

  2. 2

    Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

  3. 3

    Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

  4. 4

    Family Practice and University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

  5. 5

    Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

*Sarah H. Heil, University of Vermont, Room 1415 UHC, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. E-mail: sarah.heil@uvm.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 JUN 2008
  2. Article first published online: 28 JUN 2008
  3. Submitted 10 August 2007; initial review completed 8 November 2007; final version accepted 15 February 2008

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Keywords:

  • Contingency management;
  • fetal growth;
  • pregnant women;
  • smoking cessation;
  • vouchers

ABSTRACT

Aims  This study examined whether voucher-based reinforcement therapy (VBRT) contingent upon smoking abstinence during pregnancy is an effective method for decreasing maternal smoking during pregnancy and improving fetal growth.

Design, setting and participants  A two-condition, parallel-groups, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a university-based research clinic. A total of 82 smokers entering prenatal care participated in the trial.

Intervention  Participants were assigned randomly to either contingent or non-contingent voucher conditions. Vouchers exchangeable for retail items were available during pregnancy and for 12 weeks postpartum. In the contingent condition, vouchers were earned for biochemically verified smoking abstinence; in the non-contingent condition, vouchers were earned independent of smoking status.

Measurements  Smoking outcomes were evaluated using urine-toxicology testing and self-report. Fetal growth outcomes were evaluated using serial ultrasound examinations performed during the third trimester.

Findings  Contingent vouchers significantly increased point-prevalence abstinence at the end-of-pregnancy (41% versus 10%) and at the 12-week postpartum assessment (24% versus 3%). Serial ultrasound examinations indicated significantly greater growth in terms of estimated fetal weight, femur length and abdominal circumference in the contingent compared to the non-contingent conditions.

Conclusions  These results provide further evidence that VBRT has a substantive contribution to make to efforts to decrease maternal smoking during pregnancy and provide new evidence of positive effects on fetal health.

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