The effects of sensory deprivation on cigarette craving and smoking behaviour.

Seventy two heavy smokers were treated by means of either 6, 12 or 24 hours of sensory deprivation, or by 24 hours of social isolation. There was a significant linear trend relating time in confinement to reduction in mean post-treatment smoking rate. A measure of cigarette craving while confined did not predict treatment outcome. Craving while confined for 24 hours exhibited a cubic trend, indicating a diurnal rhythm. Differences between the two 24 hour conditions were nonsignificant, but suggested that social isolation may be therapeutically preferable to sensory deprivation.