Mobile Text Messaging Support for Smoking Cessation

Overseen By Vivian Cortez, MS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Disqualifiers: Not interested quitting, Handicap, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 6 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests the effectiveness of a bilingual text messaging program called Quitxt in helping young Latino adults quit smoking. Participants will receive either interactive, supportive messages from Quitxt or basic text messages with a referral to another program. The study seeks Latino smokers aged 18-29 who smoke regularly and want to quit. By comparing the two groups, researchers aim to determine if Quitxt leads to higher quitting rates. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could develop effective smoking cessation tools for young Latino adults.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on smoking cessation support through text messaging.

What prior data suggests that the Quitxt mobile cessation intervention is safe?

Research shows that mobile text messaging programs like Quitxt are safe for helping people quit smoking. Studies have found no safety concerns with these programs. Participants usually find them easy to use and manage well. Quitxt sends supportive and motivational text messages, which many users appreciate. This method has helped some people quit smoking for up to six months. Those considering joining a trial with Quitxt can feel confident that no known safety issues exist with this type of program. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Quitxt because, unlike traditional smoking cessation methods like nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medications, it leverages a culturally and linguistically tailored bilingual text messaging system. This innovative approach allows users to receive real-time support via text or social media when they experience cravings or feel at risk of relapsing. The immediate and personalized nature of Quitxt’s intervention offers a unique and accessible way to help individuals quit smoking by providing support anytime, anywhere.

What evidence suggests that the Quitxt mobile cessation intervention is effective for smoking cessation?

Research has shown that text messaging programs like Quitxt, which participants in this trial may receive, can help people stop smoking. Studies have found that digital tools often lead to higher quitting rates after six months, with success rates ranging from 15% to 88%. Quitxt, designed specifically for young Latino adults, uses bilingual texts and chats to support their efforts to quit. This program offers immediate help when cravings strike, providing tips and motivational messages. Such technology-based treatments have effectively increased the chances of staying smoke-free. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Patricia Chalela, DrPH

Principal Investigator

University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This study is for Latino young adults aged 18-29 who smoke at least one cigarette a day, want to quit smoking, own a cell phone with text and internet capabilities, and can provide follow-up data. They should not be in another cessation program or planning to move from the study area during the trial.

Inclusion Criteria

Smoking at least one cigarette/day ≥3 days/week

Own a cell phone or smartphone

Able to send and receive text messages and access the Internet

Exclusion Criteria

Do not own a cell phone with text and Internet capabilities

I am not interested in quitting smoking.

I am unable to understand the consent information due to a condition.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the Quitxt intervention or usual care for smoking cessation

6 months

Baseline and follow-up assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for smoking cessation through self-reports and biochemical verification

6 months

Follow-up assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Quitxt

Trial Overview The Quitxt research study tests a mobile text messaging intervention designed to help young Latino adults stop smoking. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either interactive Quitxt messages or standard texts with cessation content plus referral to an existing state health service program.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Usual care Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Abbreviated text messaging with smoking cessation-related content and referral to the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) cessation program Yes Quit (www.yesquit.org) available to smokers seeking help quitting. The abbreviated text messaging will include general information on smoking harms and benefits of cessation, and baseline data collection and follow-up assessments.

Group II: Quitxt bilingual text messaging and chat Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Culturally and linguistically tailored, bilingual text messaging or chat mobile app. Our text messaging or chat intervention will include messaging options in which users can text or message a code when they are craving a cigarette or at risk of relapse and immediately receive text or social media messages to help them avoid smoking. The social media content also will include opportunities for users to repeatedly visit key content pages and receive immediate support when experiencing cravings, stress, bad mood, or when feeling at risk of smoking.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Lead Sponsor

Trials

486

Recruited

92,500+

Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas

Collaborator

Trials

55

Recruited

98,900+

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Collaborator

Trials

24

Recruited

7,600+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Stop My Smoking (SMS) USA program, a text messaging-based intervention, significantly increased smoking cessation rates among young adults aged 18 to 25, with 39% of participants quitting at 4 weeks compared to 21% in the control group.

While the initial success at 4 weeks was promising, the difference in cessation rates was not maintained at 3 months, indicating the need for further research to understand the long-term effectiveness and identify which users benefit most from the program.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot RCT results of stop my smoking USA: a text messaging-based smoking cessation program for young adults. Ybarra, ML., Holtrop, JS., Prescott, TL., et al.[2022]

A text-based Scheduled Gradual Reduction (SGR) program for smoking cessation was found to be feasible and acceptable among rural adults over 60, with 81% of participants reading all messages.

While the SGR group showed a higher biochemically validated cessation rate (15%) compared to the control group (5%), the difference was not statistically significant, indicating potential effectiveness that warrants further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of a text-based smoking cessation intervention in rural older adults. Noonan, D., Silva, S., Njuru, J., et al.[2019]

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]

The Text2Quit program, which sends personalized text messages and emails to support smoking cessation, was well-received by university students, with 90.5% liking the program at 2 weeks and 82.3% at 4 weeks after enrollment.

Participants engaged actively with the program, averaging 11.8 responses to texts in the first 4 weeks, indicating that the interactive features, especially tracking cigarette use, were effective in maintaining user involvement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Text2Quit: results from a pilot test of a personalized, interactive mobile health smoking cessation program. Abroms, LC., Ahuja, M., Kodl, Y., 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]

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 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]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39546331/

Effectiveness of the Offer of the Smoke Free Smartphone ... Results: The effective follow-up rate for 7 months was 41.9%. The primary analysis showed no evidence of a benefit of the intervention on rates ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12127979/

Effectiveness of Digital Intervention for Tobacco Cessation ... Both studies indicated elevated retention rates among participants and exhibited superior abstinence rates in the iCanQuit app group relative to ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-smoking-cessation-2024-1d498

Mobile Text Messaging Support for Smoking Cessation This trial tests Quitxt, a mobile program that sends supportive texts and chat messages to help young Latino adults quit smoking. The study focuses on this ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000307

Evaluation of effectiveness and acceptability of a ... Research has shown that technology-based behavioral treatments (e.g., mobile phone, web-based) increase abstinence rates after six months (15–88 %) compared ...

5. quitxt.org quitxt.org/

QUITXT: Home Quitxt is a free text-messaging program that sends tips, support, and motivational music/videos on your phone to help you stop smoking.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9204570/

Direct Outreach in Bars and Clubs to Enroll Cigarette ... Prior studies have demonstrated that Quitxt can be effective in helping up to 1 in 5 users to stop smoking for up to 6 months [1,2]. In this ...

7. uthscsa.edu uthscsa.edu/tobacco-free/quitxt-program

Quitxt Program “Message applications have scientifically proven to roughly double one's odds of quitting smoking, which can help you live 10 years longer and save $50,000,” ...

8. smokefree.gov smokefree.gov/tools-tips/text-programs/quit-for-good/smokefreetxt

SmokefreeTXT Quit Smoking Text Program SmokefreeTXT is for US adults quitting smoking, offered by Smokefree.gov. Sign up by texting QUIT to 47848, and receive daily texts for 6-8 weeks. Text STOP to ...