Table 2.

Results of mediation analyses

Dependent variable	Potential mediator	a	b	ab	95% CI for ab
CO (ppm)	Satisfaction	0.83	0.71	0.59	(0.20 to 1.01)*
	Psych reward	0.45	0.58	0.26	(0.02 to 0.64)*
	Aversion	−0.02	−0.58	0.01	(−0.08 to 0.09)
	Enjoy sensation	0.54	0.46	0.25	(0.04 to 0.55)*
	Craving relief	0.82	0.30	0.24	(−0.05 to 0.56)
Total CPD	Satisfaction	0.83	1.70	1.42	(0.84 to 2.20)*
	Psych reward	0.45	1.60	0.73	(0.27 to 1.37)*
	Aversion	−0.02	−0.31	0.01	(−0.08 to 0.15)
	Enjoy sensation	0.54	1.37	0.74	(0.36 to 1.30)*
	Craving relief	0.82	0.77	0.63	(0.28 to 1.05)*
Study CPD	Satisfaction	0.83	2.33	1.94	(1.34 to 2.77)*
	Psych reward	0.45	2.13	0.97	(0.49 to 1.67)*
	Aversion	−0.02	−1.15	0.02	(−0.12 to 0.22)
	Enjoy sensation	0.54	1.84	1.00	(0.55 to 1.64)*
	Craving relief	0.82	1.19	0.98	(0.60 to 1.50)*
FTND without CPD	Satisfaction	0.83	0.28	0.23	(0.16 to 0.34)*
	Psych reward	0.45	0.30	0.13	(0.08 to 0.21)*
	Aversion	−0.02	0.13	0.00	(−0.02 to 0.02)
	Enjoy sensation	0.54	0.24	0.13	(0.07 to 0.21)*
	Craving relief	0.82	0.12	0.10	(0.04 to 0.17)*
WISDM primary	Satisfaction	0.83	0.31	0.26	(0.17 to 0.38)*
	Psych reward	0.45	0.53	0.24	(0.15 to 0.35)*
	Aversion	−0.02	0.34	−0.01	(−0.04 to 0.04)
	Enjoy sensation	0.54	0.28	0.15	(0.08 to 0.24)*
	Craving relief	0.82	0.23	0.19	(0.11 to 0.30)*
WISDM secondary	Satisfaction	0.83	0.28	0.24	(0.16 to 0.35)*
	Psych reward	0.45	0.58	0.27	(0.16 to 0.37)*
	Aversion	−0.02	0.31	−0.01	(−0.03 to 0.04)
	Enjoy sensation	0.54	0.29	0.16	(0.09 to 0.25)*
	Craving relief	0.82	0.17	0.14	(0.09 to 0.21)*
WISDM total	Satisfaction	0.83	3.22	2.68	(1.76 to 3.91)*
	Psych reward	0.45	6.22	2.83	(1.72 to 4.04)*
	Aversion	−0.02	3.55	−0.06	(−0.37 to 0.44)
	Enjoy sensation	0.54	3.14	1.70	(0.98 to 2.73)*
	Craving relief	0.82	2.12	1.74	(1.05 to 2.63)*
Compliance (TNE ≤ 12 nmol/mL)	Satisfaction	0.83	0.14	0.12	(0.03 to 0.22)*
	Psych reward	0.45	0.11	0.05	(−0.01 to 0.12)
	Aversion	−0.02	−0.37	0.01	(−0.04 to 0.05)
	Enjoy sensation	0.54	0.06	0.03	(−0.02 to 0.10)
	Craving relief	0.82	0.22	0.18	(0.09 to 0.30)*
Compliance (TNE ≤ 6.41 nmol/mL)	Satisfaction	0.83	0.11	0.09	(0.00 to 0.17)*
	Psych reward	0.45	0.04	0.02	(−0.05 to 0.08)
	Aversion	−0.02	−0.36	0.01	(−0.04 to 0.05)
	Enjoy sensation	0.54	0.04	0.02	(−0.03 to 0.08)
	Craving relief	0.82	0.18	0.15	(0.07 to 0.25)*
CO-verified (<6 ppm) 7 cigarette-free days	Satisfaction	0.83	−0.52	−0.43	(−1.22 to −0.11)*
	Psych reward	0.45	−0.31	−0.14	(−0.84 to 0.07)
	Aversion	−0.02	0.21	0.00	(−1.05 to 0.17)
	Enjoy sensation	0.54	−0.52	−0.28	(−0.75 to −0.11)*
	Craving relief	0.82	−0.31	−0.25	(−1.05 to 0.02)

All mediators and outcomes are assessed at Week 20. Bolded confidence intervals with asterisks indicate significance. $\widehat{a}$ = effect of gradual vs. immediate reduction on mCEQ subscale, and a positive a indicates that the gradual group had a higher average score on the relevant mCEQ subscale than the immediate group; $\widehat{b}$ = effect mCEQ subscale on dependent variable, and a positive $\widehat{b}$ indicates that the relevant mCEQ subscale was positively associated with the dependent variable controlling for the treatment effect; a$\widehat{b}$ = mediation effect, and estimates for a$\widehat{b}$ that are significantly different than 0 indicate the mCEQ subscale mediates the effect of the treatment on the dependent variable. CO = carbon monoxide; CPD = cigarettes per day; Enjoy Sensation = Enjoyment of Respiratory Tract Sensations; FTND = Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence; mCEQ = modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire; Psych reward = Psychological Reward; TNE = total nicotine equivalents; WISDM = Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives.