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

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Peek ◽  
Karen Hay ◽  
Pauline Hughes ◽  
Adrienne Kostellar ◽  
Subodh Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Number Needed To Treat ◽  
Smoking Abstinence ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND Although many smoking cessation smartphone apps exist, few have been independently evaluated, particularly in older populations. In 2017, of 112 commercially available smoking cessation apps available in Australia, only six were deemed high quality, in that they partially adhered to Australian guidelines. mHealth apps have the potential to modify smoking behaviour at relatively low cost, but acceptability in older smokers is unknown. Rigorous scientific evaluation of apps is urgently needed to assist smokers and clinicians alike. OBJECTIVE We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility of a large-scale trial to assess the use and acceptability of a high-quality smoking cessation app in older smokers METHODS Adult inpatient and outpatient smokers with computer and smartphone access were recruited face to face and via telephone from Metropolitan Hospitals in Brisbane, Australia. Participants were randomized 1:1 to the “My QuitBuddy” smoking cessation app (intervention) or the tailored smoking cessation support web site “Quit HQ” (control). The My QuitBuddy app is freely available from app stores and provides personalised evidenced based smoking cessation support. Quit HQ offers regular email support over twelve weeks. No training or instructions in the use of the e-resources was given to participants. Outcomes at three months included recruitment and retention rates, use and acceptability of e-resource (User Version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS)), changes in quitting motivation (10-point scale) and self-reported smoking abstinence. RESULTS We randomized 64 of 231 potentially eligible individuals (27.7%). Mean age was 62 years. Nicotine dependence was moderate (mean Heaviness of Smoking Index 2.8 (SD 1.2)). At three-months, follow-up was 91%. Fifteen intervention arm participants (52%) used the app at least once, compared to ten (34%) in the control arm (p=0.29). E-resource uMARS scores were statistically similar. Motivation to quit was significantly higher in the intervention arm compared to the control arm (median 6 [IQR 4-8] versus 4 [IQR 4-5] respectively, p=0.02). Smoking abstinence was non-significantly higher in the intervention group n=4, (13%, [95% CI: 4-30%] versus n=2, 6% [95% CI: 1-20%], p=0.42, ITT analysis). The estimated number needed to treat was 15. CONCLUSIONS Internet and mHealth smoking cessation resources appear acceptable to a minority of older smokers. However, whilst smokers who engaged with the allocated e-resources rated them equally, there were trends towards greater uptake, increased motivation and higher abstinence rates in the app group, although only the change in motivation reached statistical significance. This pilot study suggests apps may improve quit outcomes in older adults who are willing to use them. Further research into user-app interactions should be undertaken to facilitate improvements in app design and consumer engagement. These favourable trends should be explored in larger trials with sufficient statistical power. CLINICALTRIAL Trial Registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ACTRN12619000159156)

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Dyadic Buddy App for Smoking Cessation: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/27162 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. e27162
Author(s):  
Philipp Schwaninger ◽  
Corina Berli ◽  
Urte Scholz ◽  
Janina Lüscher
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
The Self ◽  
Daily Smoking ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Smoking Abstinence ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background Tobacco smoking is one of the biggest public health threats. Smartphone apps offer new promising opportunities for supporting smoking cessation in real time. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of an app that encourages individuals to quit smoking with the help of a social network member (buddy) in daily life. Objective The objective of this study is to test the effectiveness of the SmokeFree buddy app compared with a control group with self-reported smoking abstinence and carbon monoxide (CO)–verified smoking abstinence as primary outcomes and self-reports of smoked cigarettes per day (CPD) as a secondary outcome. Methods A total of 162 adults who smoked participated in this single-blind, two-arm, parallel-group, intensive longitudinal randomized controlled trial. Around a self-set quit date (ie, 7 days before the self-set quit date and 20 days after) and 6 months later, participants of the intervention and control groups reported on daily smoking abstinence and CPD in end-of-day diaries. Daily smoking abstinence was verified via daily exhaled CO assessments. This assessment was administered via an app displaying results of exhaled CO, thus addressing self-monitoring in both groups. In addition, participants in the intervention group used the SmokeFree buddy app, a multicomponent app that facilitates social support from a buddy of choice. Results A significant reduction in CPD from baseline to the 6-month follow-up was observed among participants in both groups. Multilevel analyses revealed no significant intervention effect on self-reported and CO-verified daily smoking abstinence at the quit date and 3 weeks later. However, CPD was lower at the quit date and 3 weeks later in the intervention group than in the control group. No significant differences between groups were found for any outcome measures 6 months after the quit date. Overall, low app engagement and low perceived usefulness were observed. Conclusions Despite some encouraging short-term findings on the amount of smoking, the SmokeFree buddy app did not have beneficial effects on smoking abstinence over and above the self-monitoring control condition. Future studies should examine whether and what support processes can be effectively stimulated and how app use can be improved to better achieve this goal. Trial Registration ISRCTN Registry 11154315; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11154315 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/s12889-019-7723-z

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Dyadic Buddy App for Smoking Cessation: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Schwaninger ◽  
Corina Berli ◽  
Urte Scholz ◽  
Janina Lüscher
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
The Self ◽  
Daily Smoking ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Smoking Abstinence ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Tobacco smoking is one of the biggest public health threats. Smartphone apps offer new promising opportunities for supporting smoking cessation in real time. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of an app that encourages individuals to quit smoking with the help of a social network member (<i>buddy</i>) in daily life. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to test the effectiveness of the SmokeFree buddy app compared with a control group with self-reported smoking abstinence and carbon monoxide (CO)–verified smoking abstinence as primary outcomes and self-reports of smoked cigarettes per day (CPD) as a secondary outcome. METHODS A total of 162 adults who smoked participated in this single-blind, two-arm, parallel-group, intensive longitudinal randomized controlled trial. Around a self-set quit date (ie, 7 days before the self-set quit date and 20 days after) and 6 months later, participants of the intervention and control groups reported on daily smoking abstinence and CPD in end-of-day diaries. Daily smoking abstinence was verified via daily exhaled CO assessments. This assessment was administered via an app displaying results of exhaled CO, thus addressing self-monitoring in both groups. In addition, participants in the intervention group used the SmokeFree buddy app, a multicomponent app that facilitates social support from a buddy of choice. RESULTS A significant reduction in CPD from baseline to the 6-month follow-up was observed among participants in both groups. Multilevel analyses revealed no significant intervention effect on self-reported and CO-verified daily smoking abstinence at the quit date and 3 weeks later. However, CPD was lower at the quit date and 3 weeks later in the intervention group than in the control group. No significant differences between groups were found for any outcome measures 6 months after the quit date. Overall, low app engagement and low perceived usefulness were observed. CONCLUSIONS Despite some encouraging short-term findings on the amount of smoking, the SmokeFree buddy app did not have beneficial effects on smoking abstinence over and above the self-monitoring control condition. Future studies should examine whether and what support processes can be effectively stimulated and how app use can be improved to better achieve this goal. CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN Registry 11154315; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11154315 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1186/s12889-019-7723-z

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

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.

scholarly journals Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel Smoking Cessation App Designed for Individuals With Co-Occurring Tobacco Use Disorder and Serious Mental Illness

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1533-1542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Vilardaga ◽  
Javier Rizo ◽  
Paige E Palenski ◽  
Paolo Mannelli ◽  
Jason A Oliver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation Treatment ◽  
Tobacco Use Disorder ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cessation Treatment ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Introduction High rates of tobacco use among people with serious mental illness (SMI), along with their unique needs, suggest the importance of developing tailored smoking cessation interventions for this group. Previous early-phase work empirically validated the design and content of Learn to Quit, a theory-based app designed for this population. Methods In a pilot randomized controlled trial, we compared the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Learn to Quit versus QuitGuide, an app designed for the general population. All participants received nicotine replacement therapy and technical assistance. Daily smokers with SMI (N = 62) participated in the trial with outcomes assessed at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16. Results Compared to QuitGuide, Learn to Quit participants had similar number of days of app use (34 vs. 32, p = .754), but larger number of app interactions (335 vs. 205; p = .001), longer durations of app use (4.24 hrs. vs. 2.14 hrs; p = .044), and higher usability scores (85 vs. 79, p = .046). At week 16, Learn to Quit led to greater reductions in cigarettes per day (12.3 vs. 5.9 for QuitGuide; p = 0.10). Thirty-day point prevalence abstinence was verified in 12% of Learn to Quit participants versus 3% of QuitGuide participants (odds ratio = 3.86, confidence interval = 0.41 to 36, p = .239). Changes in psychiatric symptoms and adverse events were not clinically significant between conditions. Conclusions This pilot trial provides strong evidence of Learn to Quit’s usability, feasibility, and safety. Preliminary evidence suggests the app may be efficacious. A randomized controlled efficacy trial is needed to test the app in a larger sample of smokers with SMI. Implications This study suggests that the Learn to Quit app is a feasible approach to deliver smoking cessation treatment in patients with co-occurring tobacco use disorder and SMI. This means that, if found efficacious, this technology could be used to deploy smoking cessation treatment to larger segments of this population, hence improving public health. Therefore, a randomized controlled trial should be conducted to examine the efficacy of this digital intervention.

Auricular Acupressure for Smoking Cessation: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Kwok Wing ◽  
Anna Lee ◽  
Eliza L.Y. Wong ◽  
Ping-chung Leung ◽  
Lang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Auricular Acupressure ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

scholarly journals A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Distress Tolerance Treatment for Weight Concern in Smoking Cessation Among Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1578-1586
Author(s):  
Erika Litvin Bloom ◽  
Susan E Ramsey ◽  
Ana M Abrantes ◽  
Laura Hunt ◽  
Rena R Wing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Emotional Eating ◽  
Distress Tolerance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Group Sessions ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Introduction The majority of women who smoke cigarettes report that concern about weight gain is a barrier to quitting. We developed an intervention incorporating distress tolerance, appetite awareness, and mindful eating skills to target concerns about post-cessation weight gain and emotional eating (DT-W). In the current study, we conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of DT-W versus a smoking health education (HE) intervention. Methods Participants (N = 69 adult female, weight-concerned smokers) were recruited in cohorts of 4–11. Cohorts were randomized to DT-W or HE. DT-W and HE were matched on format (single individual session followed by eight group sessions), inclusion of cognitive behavioral therapy for smoking cessation (CBT) content, and pharmacotherapy (nicotine patches). Follow-up assessments occurred at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-treatment. Results The recruitment goal was met; 61 of the 69 participants attended at least one group session. There were no significant differences between DT-W and HE in the number of group sessions attended (DT-W adjusted M = 5.09, HE adjusted M = 5.03, p = .92), ratings of treatment effectiveness or usefulness of skills, or retention at 6-month follow-up (79% in DT-W vs. 78% in HE) (ps &gt; .05), but comprehension ratings were lower in DT-W than in HE (p = .02). Conclusions Overall, these results suggest that the study procedures and interventions were feasible and acceptable, but changes to the DT-W intervention content to improve comprehension should be considered prior to conducting a fully powered trial. Implications A distress tolerance-based treatment targeting fear of weight gain after smoking cessation and post-cessation emotional eating was feasible and acceptable relative to a smoking HE comparison condition, but changes should be considered before conducting a larger trial. Continued innovation in treatment development for weight-concerned smokers is needed.

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