# Addressing Psychological Risk Factors Underlying Smoking Persistence in COPD Patients

> **NIH NIH K23** · RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $53,931

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is caused primarily by smoking and smoking
cessation is the first-line treatment for slowing disease progression. Despite this, nearly 50% of COPD patients
continue to smoke following diagnosis. Smokers with COPD report high rates of co-occurring conditions –
nicotine dependence, depression, and anxiety – which serve as barriers to quitting. The proposed research will
develop and pilot test a behavioral intervention designed to target the common psychological factors
underlying these co-occurring conditions and foster smoking cessation among COPD patients.
 Primary aims of the proposed research are to: 1) Refine behavioral treatment components through
qualitative interviews with patients and providers, 2) Develop a tailored behavioral treatment to address
psychological risk factors among COPD patients using single case design experiments, and 3) Conduct a pilot
randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effects of the multi-component intervention on smoking
outcome, as compared to minimally-enhanced usual care. The proposed project will be the first to adapt a
behavioral treatment to specifically target psychological risk factors among COPD patients who smoke. By
addressing core psychological risk factors, the behavioral treatment may help buffer against stress associated
with disease progression and increase COPD patients’ exercise tolerance, engagement in pulmonary
rehabilitation, and quality of life. Thus, this intervention has potential to obviate a large number of health
burdens among COPD patients, and ultimately to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with COPD.
 Amanda Mathew, PhD is seeking five years of support through the K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented
Research Career Development Award for training and research related to development and testing of smoking
cessation interventions targeted to psychological risk factors among COPD patients. Dr. Mathew’s overarching
career goals are to elucidate the mechanisms by which psychological factors impact cigarette smoking,
develop novel interventions for smokers with medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and reduce tobacco-
related health disparities. Through the proposed training plan, Dr. Mathew will expand her knowledge and skills
related to intervention development; behavioral RCT design, conduct, and analysis; and smoking cessation
and treatment needs specific to individuals with COPD. Dr. Mathew’s multidisciplinary mentorship team has
demonstrated expertise in these content areas, and is committed to Dr. Mathew’s career development. Dr.
Mathew’s proposed work is also well-aligned with behavioral medicine research priorities within the
Department of Preventive Medicine at Rush University Medical Center.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10123730
- **Project number:** 3K23HL138165-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Amanda R Mathew
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $53,931
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-11-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10123730

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10123730, Addressing Psychological Risk Factors Underlying Smoking Persistence in COPD Patients (3K23HL138165-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10123730. Licensed CC0.

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