QuitBot Program for Cancer Prevention

Overseen By Jonathan Bricker, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Pregnant, Breastfeeding, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new smartphone app, QuitBot, and a text messaging program designed to help American Indians and Alaska Natives quit smoking commercial tobacco. The goal is to determine which method more effectively supports individuals in setting and achieving their quitting goals. Participants will receive either interactive chatbot messages or supportive text messages over 42 days. This trial suits those who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, have smoked daily for the past year, and are interested in quitting smoking with the help of a smartphone. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative quitting methods tailored to the community.

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 quitting smoking, so it's best to consult with the trial coordinators or your doctor for guidance.

What prior data suggests that the QuitBot program is safe for smoking cessation?

Research shows that the QuitBot program, which uses chatbots and text messages to help people stop smoking, has been well-received by users. In earlier studies, the QuitBot chatbot kept users engaged and helped people quit smoking. The program includes short chats that focus on setting goals to quit and staying motivated. Importantly, no major safety issues or negative effects have been reported, suggesting that the QuitBot app is generally safe for users. Additionally, expert systems like QuitBot have helped 22% to 26% of participants quit smoking, offering encouragement for those wanting to quit. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the QuitBot program because it offers a fresh take on smoking cessation through digital means. Unlike traditional methods like nicotine replacement therapy or counseling, QuitBot uses a chatbot and text messaging to support users over a 42-day period. This approach harnesses technology to provide personalized, real-time assistance, making it more accessible and engaging for users. By delivering support directly to participants’ phones, QuitBot aims to fit seamlessly into daily life, potentially improving adherence and success rates in quitting smoking.

What evidence suggests that this trial's programs could be effective for smoking cessation among AI/AN populations?

Research has shown that both the QuitBot chatbot and text messaging programs, studied in this trial, can help people quit smoking. Participants will be assigned to either the QuitBot chatbot or the text messaging program. In a small initial study, the QuitBot chatbot demonstrated high user engagement, with many participants quitting smoking and 96% remaining involved after three months. These results suggest this method works well. Another study found that text messaging helped more people quit smoking compared to usual treatments. Both programs aim to offer personalized support, which is crucial for helping people stay smoke-free. ^{2 3 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 who are looking to quit smoking. It's designed to help them with personalized support through a smartphone app called QuitBot and text messaging programs.

Inclusion Criteria

Smoking combustible cigarettes daily in the past year

Ability to read English

I want to learn how to quit smoking.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant or breastfeeding

Use of other tobacco products (e.g., ceremonial use of tobacco, e-cigarettes) will be assessed but is not an exclusion criterion, as it would limit the study's generalizability

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive daily QuitBot program messages about quitting smoking over 42 days

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for smoking cessation success and engagement with QuitBot

24 months

Follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months, with possible contact up to 24 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• QuitBot Smoking Cessation Chatbot Program
• QuitBot Smoking Cessation Text Messaging Program

Trial Overview

The study tests two remote smoking cessation methods: the QuitBot app and a text messaging program. Both aim to provide motivation, support in setting goals, tasks for quitting smoking, and maintaining a smoke-free life.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Arm I (QuitBot chatbot) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

Participants participate in the QuitBot program which involves chatbot messages over 42 days. Therapy description withheld to protect the integrity of the study.

Group II: Arm II (QuitBot texting) Active Control 4 Interventions

Participants participate in the QuitBot program which involves text messages over 42 days. Therapy description withheld to protect the integrity of the study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

583

Recruited

1,341,000+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Computer-based smoking cessation programs are effective and can be delivered on a large scale at a low cost, making them accessible to many smokers.

These programs work best when combined with pharmacotherapy and can serve as a helpful addition to counseling provided by healthcare professionals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using new information technology to treat tobacco dependence. Etter, JF.[2017]

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]

The Quit the Vape (QTV) program, which includes automated text messaging for e-cigarette cessation, showed high engagement and satisfaction among participants, with over 85% responding to messages and 55.6% reporting satisfaction compared to only 17.7% in the control group.

Adding live text counseling (QTV-C) appeared to enhance quitting outcomes, with 27.8% of participants achieving 7-day point prevalence abstinence, compared to 11.1% for QTV alone and 5.9% for the control group, suggesting that this combination may be more effective for e-cigarette cessation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A pilot randomized controlled trial of automated and counselor-delivered text messages for e-cigarette cessation. Krishnan, N., Berg, CJ., Le, D., et al.[2023]

In a study of 436 patients at a smoking cessation clinic, sending SMS reminders significantly improved attendance at follow-up visits, which was linked to higher smoking cessation rates.

Patients who attended at least one follow-up visit had a smoking cessation rate of 34.5%, compared to only 19.1% for those who did not attend any visits, highlighting the importance of appointment compliance in achieving smoking cessation success.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does Short Message Service Increase Adherence to Smoking Cessation Clinic Appointments and Quitting Smoking? Önür, ST., Uysal, MA., İliaz, S., 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]

The Pathways to Change (PTC) system is an effective smoking cessation intervention, achieving cessation rates of 22% to 26% in four studies, indicating its efficacy in helping smokers quit.

The intervention's effects appear to increase over time, as follow-up assessments showed larger differences in cessation rates, suggesting lasting benefits beyond the treatment period.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An expert system intervention for smoking cessation. Velicer, WF., Prochaska, JO.[2022]

Citations

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Protocol of the QuitBot full-scale randomized controlled trial

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Conversational Chatbot for Cigarette Smoking Cessation

In a pilot RCT with 96% three-month outcome data retention, QuitBot demonstrated high user engagement and promising cessation rates compared ...

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sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1551714424003100

Protocol of the QuitBot full-scale randomized controlled trial

The pilot RCT proved feasible, achieving a 96 % retention rate for outcome data at 3 months. QuitBot showed strong user engagement and promising cessation rates ...

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pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38913882/

Conversational Chatbot for Cigarette Smoking Cessation

In a pilot RCT with 96% three-month outcome data retention, QuitBot demonstrated high user engagement and promising cessation rates compared ...

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withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-cigarette-smoking-related-carcinoma-3-2025-df390

QuitBot Program for Cancer Prevention · Info for Participants

Research shows that expert system interventions, like the QuitBot program, have helped many people quit smoking, with success rates between 22% and 26%.

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11303891/

Conversational Chatbot for Cigarette Smoking Cessation

We developed a quit smoking program spanning 42 days of 2- to 3-minute conversations covering topics ranging from motivations to quit, setting a quit date, ...

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Conversational Chatbot for Cigarette Smoking Cessation

In a pilot randomized trial with 96% three-month outcome data retention, QuitBot demonstrated high user engagement and promising cessation rates compared to the ...

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fredhutch.org

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Fred Hutch launches free AI-powered chatbot app to help ...

QuitBot is a comprehensive quit smoking program of 3- to 5-minute focused conversations over two phases: 14 days pre-quit date and 28 days ...