Educational Video for Smoking Cessation

Overseen By Clinical Trials Intake

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Chicago

Must not be taking: Smoking cessation medications

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Lactation, Psychiatric issues, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

94 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve how smoking cessation research is explained, helping people make informed decisions about quitting smoking. Researchers will use an educational video to provide information about varenicline, a medication that aids in quitting smoking. Participants will either watch this video or receive the usual care for quitting smoking and can choose to receive varenicline as part of the study. The trial seeks individuals who smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day and are not currently using a smoking cessation medication. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to research that could enhance smoking cessation education for many.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are currently using any smoking cessation medications, you will need to stop taking them to participate in this trial. The trial does not specify about other types of medications.

What prior data suggests that this educational video is safe for participants?

Research shows that video-based tools to help people quit smoking are generally safe. Studies have found that these videos can increase knowledge and confidence in quitting without causing harm. For example, research on using video calls for health support has shown positive results and no major safety issues.

Participants in this study can choose to use varenicline, a medication approved by the FDA to help people stop smoking. Most people tolerate varenicline well, and its safety for this purpose is well-known. While some might experience side effects, these are usually mild and manageable.

Overall, both the educational video and varenicline have good safety records, making this a low-risk option for those wanting to quit smoking. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the use of an educational video as a tool for smoking cessation. Unlike traditional methods that primarily focus on discussing FDA-approved medications like varenicline or nicotine replacement, this approach integrates research findings into a video format to enhance understanding and engagement. The trial also provides participants with tablets and internet access to ensure everyone can benefit, addressing a gap for those without reliable technology. By comparing this video intervention to usual care, researchers hope to find out if this innovative approach can more effectively support smokers in quitting.

What evidence suggests that this educational video is effective for smoking cessation?

Studies have shown that videos can effectively help people quit smoking. Research indicates that personalized videos outperform usual methods in aiding smoking cessation. One study found that video training increased confidence and knowledge about quitting. Videos also motivate by highlighting smoking's health risks, such as cancer. In this trial, participants will be randomized to receive either an educational intervention involving a video on smoking cessation or treatment-as-usual. Overall, these findings suggest that educational videos can play a key role in helping people quit smoking. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Andrea C. King

Principal Investigator

University of Chicago

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking individuals aged 18-75 who currently smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day and are not using smoking cessation medication. Participants must be willing to complete surveys and sign consent forms.

Inclusion Criteria

I agree to fill out all required surveys and measures for the study.

I understand English and agree to sign a consent form.

I am between 18 and 75 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Focus Group

Participants provide feedback on video production format and content relevance

4 weeks

3 focus groups

Randomized Educational Intervention

Participants are randomized to receive either the experimental educational intervention or usual care to help stop smoking

24 weeks

Ongoing virtual support

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for progress and adherence to smoking cessation treatment

24 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Educational Video

Trial Overview The study tests an educational video designed to inform smokers about quitting strategies, specifically the use of varenicline compared to other methods. It includes focus groups for feedback on the tool, followed by random assignment to either receive this new intervention or usual quit-smoking aids.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Educational Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Study participants will watch a video containing research findings related to smoking cessation and information on varenicline, a medication to help patients quit smoking. For participants who select varenicline and/or nicotine replacement, medications will be mailed to their residence and standard follow-up and medication support practices will be adhered to check on progress. Participants will be randomized to between educational intervention and usual care arm. Some participants who have no access to a video-enabled device or reliable internet and will provide them a tablet with broadband internet for a period of 3 months.

Group II: Focus Group Active Control 1 Intervention

3 focus groups with 6-8 patients each to provide feedback on video production format and salience of relevant content

Group III: Treatment-as-usual (TAU) Active Control 1 Intervention

Treatment-as-usual (TAU) session with discussion of FDA-approved smoking medication. Treatment as usual includes discussion and facts about cessation medication options as a standard of care with a standard video on smoking cessation treatment. For participants who select varenicline and/or nicotine replacement, medications will be mailed to their residence and standard follow-up and medication support practices will be adhered to check on progress. Some participants who have no access to a video-enabled device or reliable internet and will provide them a tablet with broadband internet for a period of 3 months.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Chicago

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,086

Recruited

844,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10158814/

Outcomes of video training on smoking cessation ... This study shows that video training can improve nurses' knowledge and confidence in smoking cessation counseling.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743515003291

Effectiveness of video- versus text-based computer-tailored ... The video-based computer-tailored intervention was effective in obtaining substantial long-term abstinence compared to the text-based version and a brief ...

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41562-025-02295-2

Efficacy of digital interventions for smoking cessation by ... Results showed that personalized interventions significantly improved smoking cessation rates compared with standard care (relative risk (RR) ...

4. mhealth.jmir.org mhealth.jmir.org/2022/11/e41658

Outcomes of a Comprehensive Mobile Smoking Cessation ... This study aimed to compare engagement, retention, attitudes toward quitting smoking, smoking behavior, and participant feedback between Pivot and QuitGuide.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8629453/

The Effectiveness of Health Education Using Audiovisual ... Health education using audiovisuals could increase the motivation of students to quit smoking, especially interventions on the risk of developing cancer due to ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1386505624004374

Incorporating technology in smoking cessation interventions The use of video calls to provide health-related interventions has grown significantly, showing positive results in a broad range of psychological ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06443294?term=AREA%5BInterventionSearch%5D(series)%20AND%20AREA%5BStudyType%5D(INTERVENTIONAL)&rank=6

Development of a Smoking Cessation Video Series The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7523971/

Effectiveness of a video-based smoking cessation ... We examined the effectiveness of a video-based smoking cessation intervention focusing on maternal and child health in promoting quitting among expectant ...