A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Web-Based Growth Mindset Intervention to Enhance the Effectiveness of a Smartphone App for Smoking Cessation

BACKGROUND Although smartphone apps have shown promise for smoking cessation, there is a need to enhance their low engagement rates. This study evaluated the application of the growth mindset theory, which has demonstrated the potential to improve persistence in behavior change in other domains, as a means to improve engagement and cessation. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the feasibility, utility, and efficacy of a Web-based growth mindset intervention for addiction when used alongside a smoking cessation app. METHODS Daily smokers (N=398) were all recruited on the Web and randomly assigned to receive either a cessation app alone or the app plus a Web-delivered growth mindset intervention. The primary outcome was engagement, that is, the number of log-ins to the smoking cessation app. The secondary outcome was 30-day point prevalence abstinence at 2-month follow-up collected through a Web-based survey. RESULTS The 2-month outcome data retention rate was 91.5% (364/398). In addition, 77.9% (310/398) of the participants in the experimental arm viewed at least 1 page of their growth mindset intervention, and 21.1% (84/398) of the group viewed all the growth mindset intervention. The intention-to-treat analysis did not show statistically significant differences between the experimental and comparison arms on log-ins to the app (19.46 vs 21.61; P=.38). The experimental arm had cessation rates, which trended higher than the comparison arm (17% vs 13%; P=.10). The modified intent-to-treat analysis, including only participants who used their assigned intervention at least once (n=115 in experimental group and n=151 in the control group), showed that the experimental arm had a similar number of log-ins (32.31 vs 28.48; P=.55) but significantly higher cessation rates (21% vs 13%; P=.03) than the comparison arm. CONCLUSIONS A growth mindset intervention for addiction did not increase engagement rates, although it may increase cessation rates when used alongside a smartphone app for smoking cessation. Future research is required to refine the intervention and assess efficacy with long-term follow-up to evaluate the efficacy of the mindset intervention. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03174730; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03174730

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A Digital Smoking Cessation Program for Heavy Drinkers: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

JMIR Formative Research ◽

10.2196/formative.7570 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. e7570 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christopher W Kahler ◽

Amy M Cohn ◽

Catherine Costantino ◽

Benjamin A Toll ◽

Nichea S Spillane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Smoking Cessation ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Text Messages ◽

Smoking Cessation Program ◽

Web Based ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

To Receive ◽

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Heavy drinking (HD) is far more common among smokers compared with nonsmokers and interferes with successful smoking cessation. Alcohol-focused smoking cessation interventions delivered by counselors have shown promise, but digital versions of these interventions—which could have far greater population reach—have not yet been tested. Objective This pilot randomized controlled trial aimed to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and effect sizes of an automated digital smoking cessation program that specifically addresses HD using an interactive web-based intervention with an optional text messaging component. Methods Participants (83/119, 69.7% female; 98/119, 82.4% white; mean age 38.0 years) were daily smokers recruited on the web from a free automated digital smoking cessation program (BecomeAnEX.org, EX) who met the criteria for HD: women drinking 8+ drinks/week or 4+ drinks on any day and men drinking 15+ drinks/week or 5+ drinks on any day. Participants were randomized to receive EX with standard content (EX-S) or an EX with additional content specific to HD (EX-HD). Outcomes were assessed by web-based surveys at 1 and 6 months. Results Participants reported high satisfaction with the website and the optional text messaging component. Total engagement with both EX-S and EX-HD was modest, with participants visiting the website a median of 2 times, and 52.9% of the participants enrolled to receive text messages. Participants in both the conditions showed substantial, significant reductions in drinking across 6 months of follow-up, with no condition effects observed. Although smoking outcomes tended to favor EX-HD, the condition effects were small and nonsignificant. A significantly smaller proportion of participants in EX-HD reported having a lapse back to smoking when drinking alcohol (7/58, 16%) compared with those in EX-S (18/61, 41%; χ21=6.2; P=.01). Conclusions This is the first trial to examine a digital smoking cessation program tailored to HD smokers. The results provide some initial evidence that delivering such a program is feasible and may reduce the risk of alcohol-involved smoking lapses. However, increasing engagement in this and other web-based interventions is a crucial challenge to address in future work. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03068611; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03068611

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Feasibility and acceptability of a smoking cessation smartphone app in older persons: eQUIT, a pilot randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

JMIR Formative Research ◽

10.2196/24976 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jenny Peek ◽

Karen Hay ◽

Pauline Hughes ◽

Adrienne Kostellar ◽

Subodh Kumar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Smoking Cessation ◽

Older Persons ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Smartphone App ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Web-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Smoking Cessation

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/ntt056 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 1756-1764 ◽

Cited By ~ 105

Author(s):

J. Bricker ◽

C. Wyszynski ◽

B. Comstock ◽

J. L. Heffner

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Smoking Cessation ◽

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Web Based ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Commitment Therapy ◽

Acceptance And Commitment ◽

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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A pilot randomized controlled trial of a tailored smoking cessation program for people living with HIV in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area

BMC Research Notes ◽

10.1186/s13104-020-05417-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Elexis C. Kierstead ◽

Emily Harvey ◽

Denisse Sanchez ◽

Kimberly Horn ◽

Lorien C. Abroms ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Smoking Cessation ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

P Value ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Objective Morbidity and mortality from smoking-related diseases among people living with HIV (PLWH) in the U.S. surpasses that due to HIV itself. Conventional smoking cessation treatments have not demonstrated strong efficacy among PLWH. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate a tailored smoking cessation intervention based on the minority stress model. We compared standard of care counseling (SOC) to a tailored intervention (TI) including one face-to-face counseling session incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy to build resilience, and 30 days of 2-way text messaging. Results The primary outcome was smoking cessation. Secondary outcomes included cigarettes per day (CPD), exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), and cessation self-efficacy. A total of 25 participants were enrolled (TI:11, SOC:14), and 2 were lost to follow-up. There were no significant differences in quit rates between study groups. However, there was a significantly greater decrease in CPD in the TI versus SOC (13.5 vs. 0.0, p-value:0.036). Additionally, self-efficacy increased in both groups (TI p-value:0.012, SOC p-value:0.049) and CO decreased in both groups (TI p-value: < 0.001, SOC p-value:0.049). This intervention shows promise to support smoking cessation among PLWH. A larger study is needed to fully evaluate the efficacy of this approach. Clinical trial: Trial Registration: Retrospectively registered (10/20/2020) NCT04594109.

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