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

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.