Comparison of various behavioral intervention approaches for tobacco cessation- A protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Abstract BackgroundDespite substantial progress in tobacco control in the last two decades, there is limited literature on the most effective tobacco cessation behavioral intervention. This network meta-analysis will compare various behavior change intervention for tobacco cessation and attempt to rank them to identify the best approach for cessation.MethodologyThe network meta-analysis will include randomized controlled trials on behavior change for tobacco cessation. The PICOS framework will be used while selecting the studies from various established scientific databases viz. Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, and other sources including Clinicaltrial.gov. The primary outcome for this review will be sustained or point prevalence tobacco abstinence at 6 months or 12 months. To graphically depict and document the studies Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines along with PRISMA Network Meta-Analysis extension statement will be used.ConclusionThe network meta-analysis will provide the rankings of behavior change interventions thus determining the most and least effective modality for tobacco cessation. The information obtained will be an important guide for policymakers, implementors, and researchers to choose the priority cessation intervention.RegistrationProtocol of this review and network meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO: International prospective register of systematic reviews (registration number: CRD42020145768).