Quit Smoking Text Messages for Smoking Cessation

Overseen By Kathleen A Garrison, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Yale University

Disqualifiers: Enrolled in another program

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

200 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the idea that Quit Smoking Text Messages for Smoking Cessation is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that text messaging programs are effective in helping people quit smoking. For example, the SmokefreeTXT program has been shown to improve quitting outcomes in the general population. Additionally, the Quit4baby program, which is a text messaging service for pregnant smokers, has also demonstrated effectiveness. A study comparing text messaging to a smartphone app found that text messaging successfully supported smoking cessation. Overall, these studies suggest that text messaging is a helpful tool for people trying to quit smoking. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data is available for the Quit Smoking Text Messages program?

The available research does not directly address safety data for the Quit Smoking Text Messages program. However, the studies on SmokefreeTXT and SmokefreeVET, which are similar text messaging interventions, suggest that these programs are generally safe. The inclusion of suicide prevention referrals in SmokefreeVET indicates a consideration for mental health safety. No specific adverse safety issues are reported in the studies. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Is SmokefreeTXT a promising treatment to help people quit smoking?

Yes, SmokefreeTXT is a promising treatment for helping people quit smoking. Research shows that text messaging programs like SmokefreeTXT can effectively support and motivate people to stop smoking by providing advice, support, and reminders. ^{1 2 10 11 12}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This project will address research gaps and advance the science of smoking cessation by conducting a randomized controlled trial of an evidence-based, population-level quit smoking text messaging program with or without a smartband.

Research Team

Kathleen A Garrison, PhD

Principal Investigator

Yale University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for daily smokers who have been smoking for at least six months and are interested in quitting. It's not open to individuals already enrolled in another quit smoking program.

Inclusion Criteria

Report an interest in quitting smoking.

Daily smokers for at least 6 months

Exclusion Criteria

Reporting being currently enrolled in another quit smoking program

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the SmokefreeTXT program with or without a smartband for smoking cessation

8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for smoking cessation outcomes and relapse

2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Smartband
• SmokefreeTXT

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of a quit smoking text messaging service called SmokefreeTXT, with some participants also using a smartband. Participants will be randomly placed into groups to receive either just the texts or texts plus the smartband.

Participant Groups

Group I: SmokefreeTXT + smartband Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Daily smokers for at least 6 months who report an interest in quitting will be randomized to receive the National Cancer Institute's SmokefreeTXT + smartband.

Group II: SmokefreeTXT Active Control 1 Intervention

Daily smokers for at least 6 months who report an interest in quitting will be randomized to receive the National Cancer Institute's SmokefreeTXT.

SmokefreeTXT is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as SmokefreeTXT for:

• Smoking cessation

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Yale University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,963

Recruited

3,046,000+

American Lung Association

Collaborator

Trials

32

Recruited

11,000+

Findings from Research

A text messaging (SMS) program developed for adult smokers in primary care received high ratings for clarity and usefulness, with 96% of messages rated positively by participants.

Patients expressed a desire for personalized messages, inclusion of e-cigarette information, and graphics, while also identifying gaps in knowledge about nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) safety and effectiveness, highlighting the importance of tailoring interventions to meet smokers' needs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combining Real-Time Ratings With Qualitative Interviews to Develop a Smoking Cessation Text Messaging Program for Primary Care Patients. Kruse, G., Park, ER., Shahid, NN., et al.[2023]

The pilot test of Quit4baby, a smoking cessation text messaging program for pregnant women, showed that participants found it feasible and acceptable, with positive feedback on its content and support features.

Most participants reported that Quit4baby was helpful in their quitting efforts and expressed a willingness to recommend it to others, indicating potential for further development and testing of its effectiveness in promoting smoking cessation during pregnancy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quit4baby: results from a pilot test of a mobile smoking cessation program for pregnant women. Abroms, LC., Johnson, PR., Heminger, CL., et al.[2022]

In a study of 8,487 participants in the SmokefreeTXT program, Black smokers were more likely to complete the program than White smokers, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.71, indicating higher program retention.

Despite higher completion rates, Black participants were less engaged overall, responding less frequently to assessments and reporting lower abstinence rates, suggesting the need for further research to identify barriers to effective engagement and cessation among Black smokers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Engagement and Short-term Abstinence Outcomes Among Blacks and Whites in the National Cancer Institute's SmokefreeTXT Program. Robinson, CD., Wiseman, KP., Webb Hooper, M., et al.[2022]

A study involving 102 young adult smokers found that a smartphone application (REQ-Mobile) was feasible for smoking cessation support, with 75% of users rating it as user-friendly.

However, the text messaging system (onQ) was more effective in promoting abstinence, with a significant number of users reporting higher rates of quitting compared to those using the app.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized trial of a smartphone mobile application compared to text messaging to support smoking cessation. Buller, DB., Borland, R., Bettinghaus, EP., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 924 smokers using the QuitTxt program, most participants (68.9%) preferred the default messaging frequency of 4-8 texts per day, and the median duration of use was 27 days, indicating a generally positive reception of the program.

Despite some users not fully reporting their quit status, many still found QuitTxt helpful, suggesting that consistent reporting may not be crucial for the program's effectiveness in supporting smoking cessation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How do smokers use a smoking cessation text messaging intervention? Balmford, J., Borland, R.[2018]

The SmokefreeTXT text-messaging intervention was well accepted by 32 adult nondaily smokers, leading to significant improvements in craving reduction and increased self-efficacy for abstinence after the program began.

Participants reported changes in their perceptions of smoking benefits, indicating that the intervention may help shift attitudes towards smoking, although engagement with the program's just-in-time features could be enhanced for better effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using the text-messaging program SmokefreeTXT to support smoking cessation for nondaily smokers. Hoeppner, BB., Hoeppner, SS., Schick, MR., et al.[2020]

In a study of 18,080 adults using the SmokefreeTXT program, over half completed the 42-day smoking cessation treatment, with a 12.9% abstinence rate among those who finished the program.

The study revealed that while initial engagement was promising, long-term abstinence rates dropped significantly, highlighting the need for improved participant retention strategies and support at critical time points to enhance smoking cessation success.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysing user-reported data for enhancement of SmokefreeTXT: a national text message smoking cessation intervention. Augustson, E., Cole-Lewis, H., Sanders, A., et al.[2018]

Automated mobile health programs like SmokefreeVET effectively support smoking cessation through text messaging, with nearly 7% of enrollees accessing suicide prevention resources.

Incorporating suicide prevention hotline referrals into smoking cessation mHealth interventions is recommended due to the significant overlap between smoking and suicide risk, enhancing the support provided to users.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Suicide Prevention Referrals in a Mobile Health Smoking Cessation Intervention. Christofferson, DE., Hamlett-Berry, K., Augustson, E.[2022]

The SmokefreeVET text messaging program, designed for veterans, showed that 13% of users achieved smoking abstinence after five weeks, with higher success rates among those who were highly engaged in the program.

Users who combined SmokefreeVET with smoking cessation medications were significantly more likely to quit smoking, with an odds ratio of 9.01, highlighting the importance of medication in enhancing the program's effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Engagement and abstinence among users of a smoking cessation text message program for veterans. Christofferson, DE., Hertzberg, JS., Beckham, JC., et al.[2019]

The Text2Quit program significantly increased biochemically confirmed smoking abstinence rates, with 11.1% of participants in the intervention group remaining smoke-free compared to only 5.0% in the control group, indicating a relative risk of 2.22.

Self-reported smoking abstinence was also higher in the Text2Quit group (19.9%) compared to the control group (10.0%), suggesting that the program is effective across various demographic groups, particularly among non-white participants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized trial of Text2Quit: a text messaging program for smoking cessation. Abroms, LC., Boal, AL., Simmens, SJ., et al.[2022]

Text messaging interventions for smoking cessation show promise, with 22 studies indicating that these programs can effectively motivate individuals to quit smoking, particularly among adults aged 30-40 and young adults aged 18-29.

While some interventions demonstrated better smoking cessation outcomes than control conditions, more rigorous research is needed to identify the most effective components of these text messaging strategies to enhance their overall efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Text messaging-based smoking cessation intervention: a narrative review. Kong, G., Ells, DM., Camenga, DR., et al.[2022]

In a pilot study involving 600 smokers, those receiving gain-framed text messages (focused on the benefits of quitting) made more quit attempts (98%) compared to those receiving loss-framed messages (93%).

While the overall smoking cessation rates at 30 weeks were similar between the gain-framed (17%) and loss-framed (15%) groups, the gain-framed messages appeared to encourage more proactive quitting behavior.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quit4hlth: a preliminary investigation of tobacco treatment with gain-framed and loss-framed text messages for quitline callers. Rojewski, AM., Duncan, LR., Carroll, AJ., et al.[2022]

References

1. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combining Real-Time Ratings With Qualitative Interviews to Develop a Smoking Cessation Text Messaging Program for Primary Care Patients. [2023]

2. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quit4baby: results from a pilot test of a mobile smoking cessation program for pregnant women. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Engagement and Short-term Abstinence Outcomes Among Blacks and Whites in the National Cancer Institute's SmokefreeTXT Program. [2022]

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

Randomized trial of a smartphone mobile application compared to text messaging to support smoking cessation. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How do smokers use a smoking cessation text messaging intervention? [2018]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using the text-messaging program SmokefreeTXT to support smoking cessation for nondaily smokers. [2020]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysing user-reported data for enhancement of SmokefreeTXT: a national text message smoking cessation intervention. [2018]

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

Suicide Prevention Referrals in a Mobile Health Smoking Cessation Intervention. [2022]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Engagement and abstinence among users of a smoking cessation text message program for veterans. [2019]

10. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized trial of Text2Quit: a text messaging program for smoking cessation. [2022]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Text messaging-based smoking cessation intervention: a narrative review. [2022]

12. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quit4hlth: a preliminary investigation of tobacco treatment with gain-framed and loss-framed text messages for quitline callers. [2022]