scholarly journals Effect of a Mobile Phone Intervention on Quitting Smoking in a Young Adult Population of Smokers: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neill Bruce Baskerville ◽  
Laura Louise Struik ◽  
Godefroy Emmanuel Guindon ◽  
Cameron D Norman ◽  
Robyn Whittaker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Continuous Abstinence

BACKGROUND Digital mobile technology presents a promising medium for reaching young adults with smoking cessation interventions because they are the heaviest users of this technology. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of an evidence-informed smartphone app for smoking cessation, Crush the Crave (CTC), on reducing smoking prevalence among young adult smokers in comparison with an evidence-informed self-help guide, On the Road to Quitting (OnRQ). METHODS A parallel, double-blind, randomized controlled trial with 2 arms was conducted in Canada to evaluate CTC. In total, 1599 young adult smokers (aged 19 to 29 years) intending to quit smoking in the next 30 days were recruited online and randomized to receive CTC or the control condition OnRQ for a period of 6 months. The primary outcome measure was self-reported continuous abstinence at the 6-month follow-up. RESULTS Overall follow-up rates were 57.41% (918/1599) and 60.48% (967/1599) at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Moreover, 45.34% (725/1599) of participants completed baseline, 3-, and 6-month follow-up. Intention-to-treat analysis (last observation carried forward) showed that continuous abstinence (N=1599) at 6 months was not significantly different at 7.8% (64/820) for CTC versus 9.2% (72/779) for OnRQ (odds ratio; OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.59-1.18). Similarly, 30-day point prevalence abstinence at 6 months was not significantly different at 14.4% (118/820) and 16.9% (132/779) for CTC and OnRQ, respectively (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.63-1.08). However, these rates of abstinence were favorable compared with unassisted 30-day quit rates of 11.5% among young adults. Secondary measures of quit attempts and the number of cigarettes smoked per day at 6-month follow-up did not reveal any significant differences between groups. For those who completed the 6-month follow-up, 85.1% (359/422) of young adult smokers downloaded CTC as compared with 81.8% (346/423) of OnRQ, χ21(N=845)=1.6, P=.23. Furthermore, OnRQ participants reported significantly higher levels of overall satisfaction (mean 3.3 [SD 1.1] vs mean 2.6 [SD 1.3]; t644=6.87, P<.001), perceived helpfulness (mean 5.8 [SD 2.4] vs mean 4.3 [SD 2.6], t657=8.0, P<.001), and frequency of use (mean 3.6 [SD 1.2] vs mean 3.2 [SD 1.1], t683=5.7, P<.001) compared with CTC participants. CONCLUSIONS CTC was feasible for delivering cessation support but was not superior to a self-help guide in helping motivated young adults to quit smoking. CTC will benefit from further formative research to address satisfaction and usage. As smartphone apps may not serve as useful alternatives to printed self-help guides, there is a need to conduct further research to understand how digital mobile technology smoking cessation interventions for smoking cessation can be improved. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01983150; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01983150 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6VGyc0W0i)

scholarly journals Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial Using Best-Selling Smoking-Cessation Book

2017 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 258-263
Author(s):  
James P. Foshee ◽  
Anita Oh ◽  
Adam Luginbuhl ◽  
Joseph Curry ◽  
William Keane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation Counseling ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Stop Smoking ◽  
Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Our prospective, randomized, controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the self-help book, The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, by Allen Carr, in promoting smoking cessation in patients with head and neck cancer. We assessed active smokers for their willingness to read a smoking cessation book. Participants were randomized to either receive the book from our department or recommended to purchase the book. All patients received smoking cessation counseling at recruitment. Phone surveys were conducted at short- and long-term intervals to determine if the patients had purchased and/or read the book and whether they were still smoking. One hundred twelve patients were recruited, 52 of whom completed follow-up surveys. Those who received the book for free were more likely to read the book (p = 0.05). Reading the book did not correlate with successful smoking cessation (p = 0.81). Some 26% of the 27 patients who received the book quit smoking compared with 32% of the 25 patients who were recommended the book (p = 0.76). Patients who indicated motivation to quit smoking were more likely to succeed. In our study, smoking cessation did not appear to be influenced by reading The Easy Way to Stop Smoking. Despite 80.8% of the cohort indicating at least a readiness to quit smoking at recruitment, only 28.8% of patients managed to achieve successful smoking cessation at long-term follow-up. Patient motivation remains an important factor in achieving long-term smoking abstinence. Quitting smoking remains a daunting challenge for patients, with multiple interventions likely needed to achieve cessation.

scholarly journals Efficacy of an Online Self-Help Treatment for Comorbid Alcohol Misuse and Emotional Problems in Young Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jona R Frohlich ◽  
Karli K Rapinda ◽  
Michael P Schaub ◽  
Andreas Wenger ◽  
Christian Baumgartner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Emotional Problems ◽  
Integrated Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Help

BACKGROUND Alcohol misuse and emotional problems (ie, depression and anxiety) are highly comorbid among Canadian young adults. However, there is a lack of integrated, accessible, and evidence-based treatment options for these young adults. OBJECTIVE The main goal of this study is to develop and test the efficacy of an integrated, online self-help program designed to target both alcohol misuse and emotional problems. METHODS A two-arm randomized controlled trial design will be used to compare the efficacy of the online integrated treatment to a psychoeducational control group. A target sample of 214 participants will be recruited and randomly assigned to either condition. The integrated treatment will last 8 weeks, and participants will work through 12 modules. Modules will incorporate content based on principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Participants in the control group will receive links to psychoeducational resources and will have access to the full treatment after follow-up. The primary outcome will be the number of Canadian standard drinks consumed in the week leading up the assessment. Secondary outcomes of interest include symptoms of depression, anxiety, alcohol-related problems, quality of life, and use of other drugs. Assessments will be completed at 3 time-points: at baseline, at the end of treatment (ie, 8 weeks), and at follow-up (ie, 24 weeks). Upon completion, data will be analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. RESULTS Data collection began in June 2018 and will continue until January 2020. Final study results will be submitted for publication by July 2020. CONCLUSIONS Currently, there are no integrated treatments designed to target alcohol misuse and the range of emotional problems experienced by young adults. This research stands to provide an effective, accessible (ie, Web-based), and feasible option to treat the many struggling young adults in this country. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03406039; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03406039 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/72fDefnrh) REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER PRR1-10.2196/11298

scholarly journals Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial using Best-Selling Smoking-Cessation Book

2017 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 258-262
Author(s):  
James P. Foshee ◽  
Anita Oh ◽  
Adam Luginbuhl ◽  
Joseph Curry ◽  
William Keane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation Counseling ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Stop Smoking ◽  
Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Our prospective, randomized, controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the self-help book, The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, by Allen Carr, in promoting smoking cessation in patients with head and neck cancer. We assessed active smokers for their willingness to read a smoking cessation book. Participants were randomized to either receive the book from our department or recommended to purchase the book. All patients received smoking cessation counseling at recruitment. Phone surveys were conducted at short- and long-term intervals to determine if the patients had purchased and/or read the book and whether they were still smoking. One hundred twelve patients were recruited, 52 of whom completed follow-up surveys. Those who received the book for free were more likely to read the book (p = 0.05). Reading the book did not correlate with successful smoking cessation (p = 0.81). Some 26% of the 27 patients who received the book quit smoking compared with 32% of the 25 patients who were recommended the book (p = 0.76). Patients who indicated motivation to quit smoking were more likely to succeed. In our study, smoking cessation did not appear to be influenced by reading The Easy Way to Stop Smoking. Despite 80.8% of the cohort indicating at least a readiness to quit smoking at recruitment, only 28.8% of patients managed to achieve successful smoking cessation at long-term follow-up. Patient motivation remains an important factor in achieving long-term smoking abstinence. Quitting smoking remains a daunting challenge for patients, with multiple interventions likely needed to achieve cessation.

scholarly journals COach2Quit: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Personal Carbon Monoxide Monitor for Smoking Cessation

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 1573-1577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandita Krishnan ◽  
Jessica L Elf ◽  
Sandy Chon ◽  
Jonathan E Golub
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Motivation To Quit ◽  
Brief Advice ◽  
Median Change

Abstract Introduction Mobile phone–based messaging support and biomarker feedback independently show evidence of increasing an individual’s likelihood of quitting smoking. However, the combination of these two strategies to facilitate smoking cessation has not been adequately explored. Methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial in Baltimore, Maryland, to assess the efficacy of COach2Quit, a smartphone application that provides exhaled carbon monoxide readings with message support. The primary outcome was self-reported and biochemically verified smoking cessation at 30-day follow-up. Secondary outcomes were reduction in smoking, motivation to quit, and engagement and satisfaction with COach2Quit. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. Results Adult smokers were randomized 1:1 to receive brief advice and COach2Quit (intervention, n = 50) or brief advice only (control, n = 52). Thirteen participants were lost to follow-up. At 30-day follow-up, one participant in each arm quit smoking. Median change in carbon monoxide levels (in parts per million (ppm)) (intervention: −3.0 [interquartile range (IQR) −12.0, 2.0]; control: −2.5 [IQR −9.0, 2.0]) and median change in number of cigarettes smoked per day (intervention: −5.5 [IQR −14.0, −1.0]; control: −6.0 [IQR −10.0, −2.0]) was similar between study arms. There was no significant difference in mean percent change in the Reasons for Quitting scale score (intervention: 6.3 [95% confidence interval = −2.2% to 14.8%]; control: −3.6 [95% confidence interval = −9.2% to 2.1%]). A majority (n = 32, 91%) of participants liked having COach2Quit to help them quit smoking. Conclusions There were no significant differences in smoking cessation, smoking reduction, and motivation to quit between study arms. However, high satisfaction with the COach2Quit application indicates its feasibility and acceptability as a smoking cessation tool. Implications Smoking is the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although counseling and pharmacotherapy are efficacious for smoking cessation, they are not easily accessible or desirable to all smokers, highlighting the need for identifying other interventions. There is evidence for the efficacy of mobile phone–based messaging support for smoking cessation. However, there is limited research on the efficacy of biomarker feedback, much less interventions that combine these two approaches. This research contributes to filling this gap and identifying novel interventions to facilitate smoking cessation.

scholarly journals A Mobile Health Intervention (LifeBuoy App) to Help Young People Manage Suicidal Thoughts: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/23655 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e23655
Author(s):  
Jin Han ◽  
Lauren McGillivray ◽  
Quincy JJ Wong ◽  
Aliza Werner-Seidler ◽  
Iana Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Mental Well Being

Background Self-help smartphone apps offer a new opportunity to address youth suicide prevention by improving access to support and by providing potentially high fidelity and cost-effective treatment. However, there have been very few smartphone apps providing evidence-based support for suicide prevention in this population. To address this gap, we developed the LifeBuoy app, a self-help smartphone app informed by dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), to help young people manage suicidal thoughts in their daily life. Objective This study describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of the LifeBuoy app for reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, depression, anxiety, and psychological distress, and improving general mental well-being in young adults aged 18 to 25 years. Methods This is a randomized controlled trial recruiting 378 young adults aged between 18 and 25 years and comparing the LifeBuoy app with a matched attention control (a placebo app with the same display but no DBT components). The primary outcome is suicidal thoughts measured by the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS). The secondary outcomes are suicidal behavior, depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and general mental well-being. The changes in the levels of insomnia, rumination, suicide cognitions, distress tolerance, loneliness, and help seeking before and after using the app are evaluated in this study. The study also addresses risk factors and responses to the intervention. A series of items assessing COVID-19 experiences is included in the trial to capture the potential impact of the pandemic on this study. Assessments will occur on the following three occasions: baseline, postintervention, and follow-up at 3 months postintervention. A qualitative interview about user experience with the LifeBuoy app will take place within 4 weeks of the final assessment. Using linear mixed models, the primary analysis will compare the changes in suicidal thoughts in the intervention condition relative to the control condition. To minimize risks, participants will receive a call from the team clinical psychologist by clicking a help button in the app or responding to an automated email sent by the system when they are assessed with elevated suicide risks at the baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up surveys. Results The trial recruitment started in May 2020. Data collection is currently ongoing. Conclusions This is the first trial examining the efficacy of a DBT-informed smartphone app delivered to community-living young adults reporting suicidal thoughts. This trial will extend knowledge about the efficacy and acceptability of app-based support for suicidal thoughts in young people. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619001671156; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378366. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/23655

scholarly journals A Mobile Health Intervention (LifeBuoy App) to Help Young People Manage Suicidal Thoughts: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Han ◽  
Lauren McGillivray ◽  
Quincy JJ Wong ◽  
Aliza Werner-Seidler ◽  
Iana Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Mental Well Being

BACKGROUND Self-help smartphone apps offer a new opportunity to address youth suicide prevention by improving access to support and by providing potentially high fidelity and cost-effective treatment. However, there have been very few smartphone apps providing evidence-based support for suicide prevention in this population. To address this gap, we developed the LifeBuoy app, a self-help smartphone app informed by dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), to help young people manage suicidal thoughts in their daily life. OBJECTIVE This study describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of the LifeBuoy app for reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, depression, anxiety, and psychological distress, and improving general mental well-being in young adults aged 18 to 25 years. METHODS This is a randomized controlled trial recruiting 378 young adults aged between 18 and 25 years and comparing the LifeBuoy app with a matched attention control (a placebo app with the same display but no DBT components). The primary outcome is suicidal thoughts measured by the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS). The secondary outcomes are suicidal behavior, depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and general mental well-being. The changes in the levels of insomnia, rumination, suicide cognitions, distress tolerance, loneliness, and help seeking before and after using the app are evaluated in this study. The study also addresses risk factors and responses to the intervention. A series of items assessing COVID-19 experiences is included in the trial to capture the potential impact of the pandemic on this study. Assessments will occur on the following three occasions: baseline, postintervention, and follow-up at 3 months postintervention. A qualitative interview about user experience with the LifeBuoy app will take place within 4 weeks of the final assessment. Using linear mixed models, the primary analysis will compare the changes in suicidal thoughts in the intervention condition relative to the control condition. To minimize risks, participants will receive a call from the team clinical psychologist by clicking a help button in the app or responding to an automated email sent by the system when they are assessed with elevated suicide risks at the baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up surveys. RESULTS The trial recruitment started in May 2020. Data collection is currently ongoing. CONCLUSIONS This is the first trial examining the efficacy of a DBT-informed smartphone app delivered to community-living young adults reporting suicidal thoughts. This trial will extend knowledge about the efficacy and acceptability of app-based support for suicidal thoughts in young people. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619001671156; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378366. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/23655

scholarly journals 4066 In Teenagers Who Smoke Cigarettes Are Nicotine Patches as Compared to Placebo Effective to Decrease the Number of Cigarettes Smoked? – A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 138-138
Author(s):  
Obumneke A Amadi
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Nicotine Patch ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Smoking Abstinence ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Nicotine Patches ◽  
Continuous Abstinence

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The aim was to examine whether nicotine patch was more effective in encouraging abstinence from cigarettes smoking compared to placebo. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Randomized controlled trials involving the general teenage age group smokers who were current smokers-“smoked less than 100 cigarettes over their lifetime and smoked at the time of the interview. Databases were searched for relevant studies reported in English that employed a randomized design published since 2000. Two authors extracted data and assessed quality. The primary outcomes and prioritization were continuous abstinence at 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up or more for the number of patients who responded to treatment, defined as a reduction/abstinence. Heterogeneity between studies did not preclude combined analyses of the data. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: 4 of 266 publications were included. Four studies reported positive effects on smoking cessation at end of treatment: (1) nicotine patches improved continuous abstinence at 6 weeks – 9 weeks months; (2) nicotine patch improved continuous abstinence at 3 to 6 months; (3) nicotine patches improved continuous abstinence 6 and 12 months; (4) nicotine patches improved continuous abstinence at 6 months – 12 and 24 months (5). All studies showed, continuous abstinence at follow up differed in percentage between groups both at 6 weeks through 24 months, with NRT (Nicotine patch) intervention groups achieving higher rates in most of the studies compared to placebo intervention group. Conclusions: NRT intervention methods seem to increase smoking abstinence in those treated for smoking cessation. Further and larger sample size studies are required to make stronger the base of evidence. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Four randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions, for teenagers who smoke cigarettes were identified for inclusion in this review. Four of the studies reported significant effects on smoking cessation, providing evidence of effectiveness of NRT (nicotine patch), behavioral support and combinations of the two, although not all trials intervention treatments found an effect. The four studies reported important intervention effects at both the short and long follow-ups required: 6 weeks up to the 24 months, thereby, providing stronger evidence to support the effectiveness of NRT intervention on smoking cessation. All studies showed some evidence of improved smoking abstinence outcomes. The four studies had in common that the smoking cessation interventions provided a combination of intent to treat prevention, and of all the clinical trials none of them suggested a negative effect of smoking cessation treatment on substance use outcomes using NRT. However, the studies used reliable methods and reported their cases properly, but the small number of studies reviewed for the systematic review makes the conclusion about the effectiveness of these interventions uncertain. The papers visibly stated how the trials protected against bias, as indicated by the Yes (low risk). No (high risk) and U as “unclear risk.” All four studies conducted a random sequence generation of participants enrolled into the study sample.

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