A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 24 studies with a total of 7 279 subjects. The studies varied in the timing and intensity of the smoking cessation and exercise programmes. Most of the trials employed supervised, group-based cardiovascular-type exercise supplemented by a home-based exercise programme and combined with a multi-session cognitive behavioural smoking cessation programme. The comparator in most cases was a multi-session cognitive behavioural smoking cessation programme alone. There was no significant effect for exercise on abstinence, allthough a slight trend towards effect of exercise was found (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.22; 21 trials, n=6607; I² 0%).
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (19 studies were rated at unclear risk in at least one domain) and by inconsistency (unexplained variability in results and heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes).
Primary/Secondary Keywords