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Protocol - Withdrawal from Tobacco Use

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Description

The Minnesota Withdrawal Scale - Revised offers a self-report protocol which reviews symptoms of withdrawal. This protocol has been validated for use with adults and adolescents. It has also been found to be a reliable and valid measure for changes in withdrawal symptoms during smoking cessation.

Specific Instructions

Instructions for Use of the Minnesota Withdrawal Scale - Revised

1. There are two scales: a self-report and an observer scale. Several items do not appear in the observer scale because observers cannot reliably rate them.

2. On the self-report scale, the first nine items are the well-validated items and are the ones to be used if calculating a total withdrawal discomfort score. The other six are promising candidate items.

3. See the attached table to further compare the content of the scales with the criteria for DSM-V and ICD-10 nicotine/tobacco withdrawal and the contents of other withdrawal scales.

4. We have participants complete the scale both before and after quitting.

5. We have participants rate over the last 24 hours and observers rate over the last week. We usually require observers to see the participant on average 2 hours/day.

6. We use the 0-4 response option so that we can have verbal anchors for each response. Larger response options (e.g., 0-100) are likely more sensitive but may be more difficult to interpret.

7. The scale is not labeled a withdrawal scale because subjects (1) are confused by filling out a "withdrawal" scale prior to cessation, and (2) will sometimes not report a symptom during abstinence if they do not believe it is the result of withdrawal.

8. We encourage readers to read recent reviews of methodological issues in measuring tobacco withdrawal (see references 3 & 4).

Availability

Available

Protocol

Behavior Rating Scale - Self-Report

Please rate yourself for the period for the last _______________

1. Angry, irritable, frustrated

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

2. Anxious, nervous

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

3. Depressed mood, sad

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

4. Desire or craving to smoke

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

5. Difficulty concentrating

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

6. Increased appetite, hungry, weight gain

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

7. Insomnia, sleep problems, awakening at night

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

8. Restless

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

9. Impatient

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

10. Constipation

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

11. Dizziness

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

12. Coughing

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

13. Dreaming or nightmares

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

14. Nausea

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

15. Sore throat

0[ ]none

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

Behavior Rating Scale - Observer-Rating

Rate the subject on the following symptoms according to whether you observed the symptom in the subject in the last ________________. It does not matter whether the subject complained of the symptom. We want to know whether you noticed the symptom.

a. Angry/irritable/frustrated

0[ ]not at all

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

b. Anxious/tense

0[ ]not at all

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

c. Depressed

0[ ]not at all

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

d. Restless/Impatient

0[ ]not at all

1[ ]slight

2[ ]mild

3[ ]moderate

4[ ]severe

1. How confident are you that this rating is accurate?

0[ ]not at all

1[ ]somewhat confident

2[ ]moderately confident

3[ ]very confident

Personnel and Training Required

None

Equipment Needs

None

Requirements
Requirement CategoryRequired
Major equipment No
Specialized training No
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection No
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual No
Mode of Administration

Self-administered questionnaire and clinical assessment

Lifestage

Adult

Participants

Adults 18 and over

Selection Rationale

The Minnesota Withdrawal Scale is a widely used validated instrument which measures withdrawal symptoms.

Language

English, Other languages available at source

Standards
StandardNameIDSource
caDSR Form PhenX PX721001 - Withdrawal From Tobacco Use 6238748 caDSR Form
Derived Variables

None

Process and Review

The Tobacco Regulatory Research (TRR) Content Expert Panel (CEP) reviewed the measures in the Tobacco Regulatory Research collection in February 2024.

Guidance from the TRR CEP includes:

  • Updating of the description and general references

Previous version in Toolkit archive (link)

Protocol Name from Source

The Minnesota Withdrawal Scale - Revised (MWS-R)

Source

www.med.uvm.edu/behaviorandhealth/research/minnesota-tobacco-withdrawal-scale

Hughes, J. R., & Hatsukami, D. K. (1986). Signs and symptoms of tobacco withdrawal. Archives of General Psychiatry, 43, 289-294.

Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale - Revised. The University of Vermont, 21 Aug. 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.

General References

The website for the scales is https://www.med.uvm.edu/behaviorandhealth/research/minnesota-tobacco-withdrawal-scale. The scales were originally reported in 1986 (Reference 2). Five articles have described the psychometrics of the scale (References 3-7). Three articles have comprehensively reviewed what is known about tobacco withdrawal (References 1, 4, 8).

Hughes, J. R. (2007). The effects of abstinence from tobacco: Valid symptoms and time course. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 9, 315-327.

Hughes, J. R., & Hatsukami, D. K. (1986). Signs and symptoms of tobacco withdrawal. Archives of General Psychiatry, 43, 289-294.

Shiffman, S., West, R. J., & Gilbert, D. G. (2004). Recommendation for the assessment of tobacco craving and withdrawal in smoking cessation trials. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 6, 599-614.

Hughes, J. R. (2007). Measurement of the effects of abstinence from tobacco. A qualitative review. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 21, 127-137.

West, R., Ussher, M., Evans, M., Rashid, M. (2006). Assessing DSM-IV nicotine withdrawal symptoms: A comparison and evaluation of five different scales. Psychopharmacology, 184, 619-627.

Etter, J. F., & Hughes, J. R. (2006). A comparison of the psychometric properties of three cigarette withdrawal scales. Addiction, 101, 362-372.

Javitz, H., Lerman, C., & Swan, G. (2012). Comparative dynamics of four smoking withdrawal symptom scales. Addiction, epub ahead of print.

Hughes, J. R. (2007). The effects of abstinence from tobacco: Etiology, determinants, epidemiology, significance. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 9, 329-339.

World Health Organization. (1993). The ICD-10 classification of mental and behavioural disorders. Diagnostic criteria for research. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

Etter, J. (2005). Self-administered questionnaire to measure cigarette withdrawal symptoms: The Cigarette Withdrawal Scale. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 7, 47-57.

West, R., & Hajek, P. (2004). Evaluation of the mood and physical symptoms scale (MPSS) to assess cigarette withdrawal. Psychopharmacology, 177, 195-199.

McNair, D. M., Lorr, J., & Droppelman, L. F. (1992). Profile of mood states manual. North Tonawanda, NY: Multi-Health Systems.

Shiffman, S., & Jarvik, M. E. (1976). Smoking withdrawal symptoms in two weeks of abstinence. Psychopharmacologia, 50, 35-39.

Schneider, N. G., & Jarvik, M. E. (1984). Time course of smoking withdrawal symptoms as a function of nicotine replacement. Psychopharmacology, 82, 143-144.

Welsch, S. K., Smith, S. S., Wetter, D. W., Jorenby, D. E., Fiore, M. C., & Baker, T. B. (1999). Development and validation of the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 7(4), 354-361.

Shiffman, S., Paty, J. A., Gnys, M., Kassel, J. A., & Hickcox, M. (1996). First lapses to smoking: Within-subjects analysis of real-time reports. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64, 366-379.

Hughes, J. R., Helzer, J. E., & Lindberg, S. A. (2006). Prevalence of DSM/ICD-defined nicotine dependence. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 85, 91-102.

Protocol ID

721001

Variables
Export Variables
Variable Name Variable IDVariable DescriptiondbGaP Mapping
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Angry
PX721001010000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Angry, irritable, frustrated show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Anxious
PX721001020000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Anxious, nervous show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Appetite
PX721001060000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Increased appetite, hungry, weight gain show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Confident_Rating_Accurate
PX721001200000 How confident are you that this rating is more
accurate? show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Constipation
PX721001100000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Constipation show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Coughing
PX721001120000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Coughing show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Craving_Smoke
PX721001040000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Desire or craving to smoke show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Depressed
PX721001030000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Depressed mood, sad show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Difficulty_Concentrating
PX721001050000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Difficulty concentrating show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Dizziness
PX721001110000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Dizziness show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Dreaming_Nightmares
PX721001130000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Dreaming or nightmares show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Impatient
PX721001090000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Impatient show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Insomnia
PX721001070000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Insomnia, sleep problems, awakening at night show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Nausea
PX721001140000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Nausea show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Observed_Angry
PX721001160000 Rate the subject on the following symptoms more
according to whether you observed the symptom in the subject in the last - Angry/irritable/frustrated show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Observed_Anxious
PX721001170000 Rate the subject on the following symptoms more
according to whether you observed the symptom in the subject in the last -Anxious/tense show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Observed_Depressed
PX721001180000 Rate the subject on the following symptoms more
according to whether you observed the symptom in the subject in the last -Depressed show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Observed_Restless
PX721001190000 Rate the subject on the following symptoms more
according to whether you observed the symptom in the subject in the last -Restless/Impatient show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Restless
PX721001080000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Restless show less
N/A
PX721001_Tobacco_Use_Withdrawal_Sore_Throat
PX721001150000 Please rate yourself for the period for the more
last - Sore throat show less
N/A
Tobacco Regulatory Research - Host: Biobehavioral
Measure Name

Withdrawal from Tobacco Use

Release Date

February 20, 2015

Definition

Withdrawal is measured by the feelings and reactions experienced because of the absence of tobacco.

Purpose

The Minnesota Withdrawal Scale -- Revised records the feelings and reactions experienced because of the absence of tobacco.

Keywords

Withdrawal symptoms, drug withdrawal, tobacco withdrawal, smoking withdrawal, nicotine withdrawal, quitting, dependence, withdrawal

Measure Protocols
Protocol ID Protocol Name
721001 Withdrawal from Tobacco Use
Publications

Garcia-Cazarin, M.L., Mandal, R.J., Grana, R., Wanke, K.L., Meissner, H. (2020) Host-agent-vector-environment measures for electronic cigarette research used in NIH grants. Tobacco Control. 2020 January; 29(1). doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2017-054032