Efficacy of Motivational Interviewing and Brief Interventions on tobacco use among healthy adults: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

The review included only 12 randomized trials, so it is not a large evidence base. The included trials used different forms of brief intervention and motivational interviewing, so the results cannot be combined into one clear answer. The populations were heterogeneous, including university students, waterpipe smokers, light smokers, and nurses, so findings may not apply to all adults. Many outcomes were self-reported rather than biochemically verified. Some trials had small samples or pilot designs. The review reported that reduction of smoking behavior or abstinence was not sustained over time. The authors stated that treatment fidelity and the limited number of studies require cautious interpretation.

Do not conclude that brief interventions or motivational interviewing reliably cause long-term tobacco cessation. Only seven of twelve trials reported a beneficial effect, and the review reported that reduction or abstinence was not sustained over time.