Mobile App for Smoking Cessation

(CoQuit Trial)

Overseen By Dana Smith, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Oregon Research Behavioral Intervention Strategies, Inc.

Disqualifiers: Tobacco cessation program

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 3 months

440 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a mobile app called CoQuit, which helps people quit smoking by making them feel uncomfortable about their smoking habits. The study involves 500 adult smokers who want to quit. The app aims to increase quit attempts and smoke-free days by using a psychological technique.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment CoQuit App, Tips for Smoking Cessation App for smoking cessation?

Research suggests that mobile apps can be helpful in quitting smoking, especially because they provide real-time support and are popular among users. However, the effectiveness of these apps can vary, and more studies are needed to fully understand how well they work. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the CoQuit App treatment for smoking cessation different from other treatments?

The CoQuit App is unique because it integrates a mobile carbon monoxide checker, allowing users to monitor their smoking status in real-time, which is not a feature commonly found in other smoking cessation treatments. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Research Team

Dana Smith, PhD

Principal Investigator

Oregon Research Behavioral Intervention Strategies, Inc.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adult smokers over the age of 18 in the U.S. who smoke daily, speak English, have a valid mailing address, and want to quit smoking. They must also have access to a smartphone with video capability.

Inclusion Criteria

You must have a real home address in the United States.

You speak English.

You smoke cigarettes every day and have told the researchers about it.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants use the CoQuit app or a comparison app for smoking cessation, with activities designed to induce cognitive dissonance

3 months

Daily app usage

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for smoking cessation outcomes and app usability

3 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• CoQuit App
• Tips for Smoking Cessation App

Trial Overview The study is testing two mobile apps: one provides tips for quitting smoking (Tips App), while the other combines these tips with cognitive dissonance strategies to help quit smoking (CoQuit App).

Participant Groups

Group I: CoQuit App - Cognitive Dissonance Based Smoking Cessation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will receive daily smoking cessation tips and will be asked to complete activities within the app that are designed to induce cognitive dissonance, create and share videos related to the activities with an online group, and provide support to other group members

Group II: Comparison App - Smoking Cessation Support without Cognitive Dissonance Activities Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will use an app that consists of tips for quitting cigarettes but does not include the cognitive dissonance component.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon Research Behavioral Intervention Strategies, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

21

Recruited

8,600+

Findings from Research

A study involving 181 participants found that most users rated the smoking cessation app QuitPal-m as very helpful, but daily usage declined over time, indicating a need for ongoing support to maintain engagement.

The effectiveness of the app was enhanced by supportive accountability from cessation counselors, particularly for smokers with low motivation to quit, highlighting the importance of addressing both personal barriers and technical issues to improve app usage.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supportive Accountability and Mobile App Use in a Tobacco Control Intervention Targeting Low-Income Minority Mothers Who Smoke: Observational Study. Lepore, SJ., Collins, BN., Killam, HW., et al.[2023]

A survey of 264 nicotine dependence treatment providers and 40 smokers revealed that most providers believe smoking cessation apps could be effective, especially if they are empirically validated, but many feel that effective apps are currently lacking.

Both groups agreed on key features for successful cessation apps, such as being free or low-cost, ensuring privacy, and adapting to individual needs, although providers prioritized privacy while smokers emphasized low cost and personalized content.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design Considerations for Smoking Cessation Apps: Feedback From Nicotine Dependence Treatment Providers and Smokers. McClure, JB., Hartzler, AL., Catz, SL.[2022]

This pilot study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercially available smartphone app for tobacco cessation among young adults aged 18-30 who smoke more than 5 cigarettes a day, comparing it to usual care in a hospital setting.

The study will focus on feasibility metrics such as recruitment, retention, and adherence to the app, which will inform future larger trials on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of mobile interventions for smoking cessation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tobacco cessation mobile app intervention (Just Kwit! study): protocol for a pilot randomized controlled pragmatic trial. Chu, KH., Escobar-Viera, CG., Matheny, SJ., et al.[2020]

A study of 955 Dutch smokers and ex-smokers found that the intention to use a smoking cessation app is strongly influenced by the number of previous quit attempts and the level of nicotine dependence, rather than demographic factors like age or education.

Personal innovativeness also plays a significant role in users' attitudes toward cessation apps, indicating that app design should focus on addressing the specific needs and experiences of potential users to enhance engagement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Identification of Users for a Smoking Cessation Mobile App: Quantitative Study. Chevalking, SKL., Ben Allouch, S., Brusse-Keizer, M., et al.[2019]

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]

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]

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]

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]

References

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

Supportive Accountability and Mobile App Use in a Tobacco Control Intervention Targeting Low-Income Minority Mothers Who Smoke: Observational Study. [2023]

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

A mobile app to aid smoking cessation: preliminary evaluation of SmokeFree28. [2022]

3. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design Considerations for Smoking Cessation Apps: Feedback From Nicotine Dependence Treatment Providers and Smokers. [2022]

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

Tobacco cessation mobile app intervention (Just Kwit! study): protocol for a pilot randomized controlled pragmatic trial. [2020]

5. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Identification of Users for a Smoking Cessation Mobile App: Quantitative Study. [2019]

6. Canada 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. [2020]

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

Do medications increase the efficacy of digital interventions for smoking cessation? Secondary results from the iCanQuit randomized trial. [2023]

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

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

9. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A content analysis of popular smartphone apps for smoking cessation. [2022]

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

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