“The AURIGA program for smoking cessation and reduction, stress reduction and well being. A trans-disciplinary approach for an experimental program in clinical sociology”

The AURIGA program is addressed to smoking health workers of two local health agencies in Torino (IT). It is designed as an experiential based research-action program in which the detached observation of oneself is considered a basic social experience. Fundamentally, the programs main idea stems from the ambition to put together biomedical parameters & personal data as elements of the general process of the smoking experience. Methodologically, third person data (questionnaires) & personal inquiries (journals and self-observation) are integrated with observations of the experience emerging from the contemplative practices. Two criteria ofn selection have been set up–smokers of at least 10 cigarettes on a daily basis & no enrolment in any drug treatment for smoking cessation. During the two-month program, once a week a group meeting took place, in which the group experienced some contemplative practices (sitting meditation, body scan, & others) and dedicated some time to dialogue; participants were expected to do daily home exercises & keep a journal. Pre-post questionnaires and biomedical tests have been used to evaluate the programs effectiveness (before/end of program & three & six month after it). 25 health workers completed the two-month program. At the time of writing this abstract, the data collection is closed and preliminary analysis is undergoing.