Smartphone Apps for Smoking Cessation

Overseen By Brie Sullivan

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Must not be taking: Smoking cessation drugs

Disqualifiers: Prior research, QuitGuide app, others

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

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 6 weeks

776 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The trial aims to determine if a new app, iCanQuit, is more effective than the NCI QuitGuide app in helping American Indians and Alaska Natives quit smoking. Smoking rates and related health issues are higher in these communities, necessitating accessible solutions. Participants will use one of these apps to attempt quitting smoking for at least 45 days. The trial seeks American Indians or Alaska Natives who have smoked daily for the past year and are interested in quitting within the next 30 days. Participants need a smartphone and should not be using other quit-smoking methods. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could lead to more effective smoking cessation tools for these communities.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot be using other smoking cessation treatments or medications within the past 30 days to participate.

What prior data suggests that these smartphone apps are safe for smoking cessation?

Research has shown that the iCanQuit app is both effective and safe for helping people quit smoking. One study found the iCanQuit app to be almost 1.5 times more effective than the QuitGuide app in helping people stop smoking over a year. Users found the app helpful without major safety concerns.

The iCanQuit app provides behavioral support, such as teaching skills to resist smoking urges, and thus avoids the side effects associated with medication-based treatments. No reports of negative effects linked to the app itself have emerged, making it a well-tolerated option for quitting smoking. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about iCanQuit because it offers a personalized approach to quitting smoking through a smartphone app. Unlike traditional methods like nicotine replacement therapy or counseling, iCanQuit provides a tailored quit plan and interactive content across eight levels, helping users manage cravings on-demand. This app also encourages users to track their smoking behaviors daily, promoting self-awareness and accountability. Such innovative features could enhance user engagement and potentially improve quit rates compared to existing solutions.

What evidence suggests that this trial's apps could be effective for smoking cessation?

This trial will compare the effectiveness of the iCanQuit app with the NCI QuitGuide app for smoking cessation. Research has shown that the iCanQuit app is more effective at helping people stop smoking than the NCI QuitGuide app. One study found that people using iCanQuit were 1.46 times more likely to quit smoking after 12 months compared to those using QuitGuide. Another study showed that 30% of iCanQuit users quit smoking, while only 18% of QuitGuide users did. In a different study, iCanQuit had a 34% quit rate, compared to 20% for QuitGuide. These results suggest that iCanQuit could be a powerful tool for those wanting to quit smoking. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jonathan B Bricker

Principal Investigator

Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for American Indians and Alaska Natives aged 18 or older who smoke daily, want to quit within the next month, can use a smartphone app in English, and are not using other quit-smoking aids. Participants must live off US tribal reservations or on certain Northern Plains reservations.

Inclusion Criteria

You have smoked every day for the past year.

I want to quit smoking within the next month.

No one else in your household or family is taking part in the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants use either the iCanQuit app or the NCI QuitGuide app for at least 45 days

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for smoking cessation outcomes at 3, 6, and 12 months post-randomization

12 months

3 follow-up assessments (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• iCanQuit

Trial Overview The study compares two smartphone apps: iCanQuit, designed specifically to help AIANs stop smoking by teaching coping skills and motivation techniques; versus the existing NCI QuitGuide app. The effectiveness of these apps in aiding smoking cessation will be evaluated.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Arm I (iCanQuit app) Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants use the iCanQuit app, which includes setting up a personalized quit plan, participating in eight levels of the content, receiving on-demand help in coping with smoking urges, and tracking their daily smoking behaviors for at least 45 days on study.

Group II: Arm II (NCI QuitGuide app) Active Control 3 Interventions

Participants use the NCI QuitGuide app for at least 45 days on study.

iCanQuit is already approved in United States, India for the following indications:

Approved in United States as iCanQuit for:

• Smoking cessation

Approved in India as iCanQuit India for:

• Smoking cessation

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

583

Recruited

1,341,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The iCanQuit smartphone application, which uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), was found to be more effective for helping highly nicotine-dependent adults quit tobacco compared to the QuitGuide application, with a 30-day abstinence rate of 24% versus 17% at 12 months.

Participants using iCanQuit not only reported higher rates of quitting but also engaged with the app more frequently and expressed greater satisfaction, indicating that the increase in acceptance of smoking cues played a key role in the success of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Smartphone Applications for Cessation of Tobacco Use among Adults with High Nicotine Dependence: Results from the iCanQuit Randomized Trial. Santiago-Torres, M., Mull, KE., Sullivan, BM., et al.[2023]

The iCanQuit smartphone app significantly outperformed the QuitGuide app in helping participants quit smoking, achieving a 34% quit rate compared to 20% for QuitGuide among those using FDA-approved cessation medications.

Using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) alongside the iCanQuit app led to even higher quit rates of 40%, suggesting that combining the app with cessation medications can enhance its effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do medications increase the efficacy of digital interventions for smoking cessation? Secondary results from the iCanQuit randomized trial. Bricker, JB., Santiago-Torres, M., Mull, KE., et al.[2023]

Among 311,567 users of the iCoach app for smoking cessation, 26,785 steady users were identified, with more intensive app use linked to higher rates of smoking cessation, improved quitting stages, and increased self-efficacy over time.

The most significant improvements in smoking-related outcomes were observed within the first 3 months of app use, particularly among older users and women, who were more likely to engage with the app intensively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of the Smoking Cessation App Ex-Smokers iCoach and Associations With Smoking-Related Outcomes Over Time in a Large Sample of European Smokers: Retrospective Observational Study. Mansour, MB., Busschers, WB., Crone, MR., et al.[2023]

A smartphone app designed for smoking cessation effectively assessed real-time risk for smoking lapses and provided tailored messages, leading to greater reductions in smoking urges, stress, and cigarette availability among participants (N=59) over a 3-week period.

Messages specifically tailored to individual triggers, such as smoking urges and stress, were more effective in reducing those triggers compared to generic messages, suggesting that personalized interventions can enhance smoking cessation efforts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An ecological momentary intervention for smoking cessation: The associations of just-in-time, tailored messages with lapse risk factors. Hébert, ET., Stevens, EM., Frank, SG., et al.[2022]

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]

A study of 252 smoking cessation apps for iPhone and 148 for Android revealed that popular apps generally have low adherence to U.S. Public Health Service guidelines, scoring an average of only 12.9 out of 42 on the Adherence Index.

None of the apps recommended calling a quitline, and only 4.1% suggested using approved medications, indicating a significant gap in evidence-based support for users trying to quit smoking.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A content analysis of popular smartphone apps for smoking cessation. Abroms, LC., Lee Westmaas, J., Bontemps-Jones, J., et al.[2022]

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the 'CureApp Smoking Cessation' (CASC) app in improving smoking cessation rates among individuals with nicotine dependence, alongside a standard 12-week treatment program, with a total of 580 participants expected to be recruited.

CASC is designed to enhance treatment outcomes by providing personalized support through video tutorials, AI advice, and CO monitoring, and the primary outcome will be the continuous abstinence rate from weeks 9-24, which is anticipated to be significantly higher than that of a control app.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel Smoking Cessation Smartphone App Integrated With a Mobile Carbon Monoxide Checker for Smoking Cessation Treatment: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Nomura, A., Tateno, H., Masaki, K., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8810613/

Secondary Analysis of the iCanQuit Randomized Trial - PMC Retention rate was 88% at 12-months and did not differ by arm. At 12-months, iCanQuit was 1.46 times more efficacious than QuitGuide for smoking cessation (27% ...

2. mhealth.jmir.org mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e71619/PDF

Population-Level Dissemination of a Smoking Cessation ... iCanQuit was 1.5 times more efficacious than QuitGuide for smoking cessation at 12 months (P<. 001) [16]. In addition, the intervention's ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8887580/

Efficacy and Utilization of Smartphone Applications for ... The 30-day point-prevalence abstinence for iCanQuit versus QuitGuide was 30% versus 18% at 12 months (odds ratio [OR] = 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90 ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/350561756_iCanQuit_Smartphone_App_Is_Effective_in_Helping_with_Smoking_Cessation

iCanQuit Smartphone App Is Effective in Helping with ... The aims of this pilot study are to assess the impact on tobacco cessation of using a smartphone app compared with usual care and to generate ...

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-cigarette-smoking-related-carcinoma-5-2024-ac468

Smartphone Apps for Smoking Cessation The iCanQuit smartphone app significantly outperformed the QuitGuide app in helping participants quit smoking, achieving a 34% quit rate compared to 20% for ...

6. apps.apple.com apps.apple.com/us/app/icanquit-india/id1667971098

iCanQuit India on the App Store It's the only app scientifically proven to help adults quit smoking, developed by scientists at America's Fred Hutch Cancer Center.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12303548/

Population-Level Dissemination of a Smoking Cessation ... Although iCanQuit is the only known smoking cessation app proven efficacious for smoking cessation ... iCanQuit app to individuals in India. We ...

8. cancer.nsw.gov.au cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/campaigns/quit-smoking-campaigns/icanquit

iCanQuit - Cancer Institute NSW The iCanQuit campaign demonstrated the value, importance and role of willpower in quitting smoking. Informed through research with NSW smokers.