VIRGIN COCONUT OIL (VCO) AS ADJUNCT THERAPY FOR NICOTINE DEPENDENCE IN SMOKERS

• Main Author: Ahsanul Haq, Fahmy
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/61709
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The high number of smokers in the world, including in Indonesia is in line with the high mortality rate due to non-communicable diseases, and one of the risk factors is tobacco content in cigarettes. Currently, therapy for smokers who intend to quit smoking has limitation, including its safety profile, so it is necessary to develop alternative therapies. This study is an open-label trial that aimed to determine the effect of the administration of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) 15 mL twice daily for 14 days in smokers of different intensity of nicotine dependence. The intensity of nicotine dependence was determined by the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). In this study, the quality of life was also observed based on the Euro Quality-Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) of the Euro-Quality-5Dimensions5Levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. Measurements of the body weight and vital signs were also carried out, before and after VCO treatment. The results showed a significant decrease in the FTND score from 3.43 to 2.80 (p<0.05), and a significant increase in EQ VAS score from 86.00 to 91.85 (p<0.05). No significant changes in body weight and vital signs were observed (p>0.05). In general, results of the present study indicate that VCO has the potential to reduce nicotine dependence in smokers.