Mobile Apps for Smoking Cessation

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Suicidal ideation, Major depressive episode, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

8 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

How is the 'Smoke Free' mobile app treatment for smoking cessation different from other treatments?

The 'Smoke Free' mobile app is unique because it uses behavior change techniques similar to those in face-to-face support programs, offering features like progress tracking, virtual badges, and daily missions to help manage cravings, which are not typically found in traditional smoking cessation methods. ^{1 2 3 4}

What is the purpose of this trial?

We will conduct a small-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 24 adult smokers enrolled in the TTP. Participants will receive either the Free4Good mobile app for positive psychology skills training or a breathing relaxation mobile app control (Breathe2Relax). All participants will be receiving tobacco cessation treatment in the Tobacco Treatment Program at MD Anderson as standard of care.

Research Team

Jennifer A. Minnix

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adult smokers aged 18-65 who are patients at MD Anderson, have been smoking daily for at least a year, and own an iPhone with regular app usage. They must be willing to set a quit date within the next month and not be receiving other cessation treatments or suffering from severe depression or conditions that could risk their safety.

Inclusion Criteria

Current smoker (i.e., at least 1 cigarette or e-cig per day)

Currently own an iOS mobile phone (iPhone) using iOS 9.0 or later and reports regular use (at least weekly) of at least 1 iOS app

I can speak and understand English well.

Exclusion Criteria

Endorsing current suicidal ideation or intent

Meeting criteria for a current Major Depressive Episode measured by the PHQ-9

Subject considered by the investigator an unsuitable candidate for receipt of a smoking cessation treatment or unstable to be followed up throughout the entire duration of the study

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either the Free4Good mobile app for positive psychology skills training or a breathing relaxation mobile app control (Breathe2Relax) while receiving tobacco cessation treatment

8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for adherence, acceptability, user satisfaction, and preliminary efficacy of the mobile apps

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Breathe2Relax mobile app
• Free4Good mobile app

Trial Overview The study tests two smartphone apps' effectiveness in aiding smoking cessation among participants already enrolled in a Tobacco Treatment Program. One group will use the Free4Good app focusing on positive psychology, while the control group will use Breathe2Relax, an app for breathing relaxation.

Participant Groups

Group I: Group 2 smartphone applications Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

app is designed to help you increase your positive feelings, behaviors, and thoughts.

Group II: Group 1 smartphone applications Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

app is designed to help you learn relaxation skills

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

Findings from Research

Out of 112 smoking cessation apps reviewed, only six were identified as high-quality and partially adhered to Australian smoking cessation treatment guidelines, indicating a lack of robust options for users.

Only two of the high-quality apps had their efficacy evaluated, highlighting the need for more research to assess the effectiveness of smoking cessation apps and ensure they provide reliable support for users.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Free smoking cessation mobile apps available in Australia: a quality review and content analysis. Thornton, L., Quinn, C., Birrell, L., et al.[2022]

Mobile health applications are effective tools for helping individuals change their smoking habits, as they provide counseling and motivation for smoking cessation.

The review analyzed 12 studies that highlighted four different technological approaches, demonstrating the versatility and potential of mobile devices in supporting smokers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smoking Cessation: Services and Applications for Mobile Devices. Kefaliakos, A., Pliakos, I., Chardalias, K., et al.[2018]

In a study involving 28,112 smokers, the full version of the Smoke Free app significantly increased self-reported smoking abstinence rates at 3 months compared to the reduced version, with odds ratios indicating a nearly doubled likelihood of quitting.

The follow-up rates were low (8.5% for the full version and 6.5% for the reduced version), but the results consistently showed that the full version, which included additional features like daily missions and progress updates, was more effective in helping users quit smoking.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relative effectiveness of a full versus reduced version of the 'Smoke Free' mobile application for smoking cessation: a randomised controlled trial. Crane, D., Ubhi, HK., Brown, J., et al.[2019]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Free smoking cessation mobile apps available in Australia: a quality review and content analysis. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of an offer of the Smoke Free smartphone application for smoking cessation: protocol for a randomized controlled trial. [2021]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smoking Cessation: Services and Applications for Mobile Devices. [2018]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relative effectiveness of a full versus reduced version of the 'Smoke Free' mobile application for smoking cessation: a randomised controlled trial. [2019]