Telephone-Delivered Guided Imagery for Smoking Cessation

Overseen By Judith S Gordon, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Arizona

Disqualifiers: No phone, No internet, Psychosis, others

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: 3

Duration: 6 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new approach to help people quit smoking using guided imagery, which involves imagining calming and motivating scenarios over the phone. Participants will receive either this new guided imagery treatment (also known as Guided Imagery Therapy or Visualization Therapy) or standard behavioral support, both delivered by phone. The goal is to determine if guided imagery can help more people stop smoking for at least seven days, verified by tests, six months after starting. People who smoke daily, speak English, have a smartphone, and are open to phone coaching might be a good fit for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative methods for quitting smoking.

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

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on smoking cessation through guided imagery delivered by phone.

What prior data suggests that this guided imagery intervention is safe for smoking cessation?

Past studies have shown that guided imagery has helped people quit smoking. This technique involves using imagination to picture positive scenes or outcomes. Research indicates that guided imagery is generally well-tolerated. Although specific safety data for phone-based sessions is lacking, guided imagery is considered safe overall. As a non-invasive method, it doesn't involve physical procedures or medicines, making it a low-risk option for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Telephone-Delivered Guided Imagery for Smoking Cessation trial because it offers a fresh approach to quitting smoking. Unlike traditional methods like nicotine replacement therapies or medication, this treatment uses guided imagery, a mental visualization technique, to help individuals overcome their smoking habit. The unique aspect of this approach is its delivery method; being telephone-based makes it easily accessible and convenient, allowing for support without the need for in-person visits. This innovative method could potentially make smoking cessation more approachable and effective for many people.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for smoking cessation?

Research has shown that guided imagery, which uses imagination to aid relaxation and change habits, can help people quit smoking. In this trial, participants in one arm will receive the Guided Imagery Intervention. One study found that individuals who used guided imagery to stop smoking achieved good results, with many remaining smoke-free for a while. Another study demonstrated that offering this support over the phone is a practical way to assist smokers who want to quit. Early findings from small studies also suggest that guided imagery can boost motivation and lead to successful quitting. Overall, initial evidence suggests this method could effectively help people stop smoking. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking adults over 18 who smoke daily and are willing to receive phone coaching. They must have a smartphone with internet access. It's not for those without a phone or internet, non-English speakers, households with more than one participant, or individuals with psychosis.

Inclusion Criteria

Have a smart phone with internet access

I am open to getting phone coaching.

Report daily smoking in the last 30 days

Exclusion Criteria

No phone

Psychosis

More than one person per household

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a telephone-delivered guided imagery intervention or standard behavioral control, with 4 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy included in both conditions

6 months

Weekly sessions (telephone)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for smoking abstinence and tobacco use reduction at 3 and 6 months post-enrollment

6 months

Assessments at 3 and 6 months (telephone)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Guided Imagery Intervention
• Standard Behavioral Control

Trial Overview

The study tests a telephone-delivered guided imagery program against standard behavioral control to help people quit smoking. Participants from Arizona, New York, and West Virginia will be randomly assigned to either the guided imagery intervention or the control group.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Guided Imagery Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Guided Imagery Intervention

Group II: Standard Behavioral Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Standard Behavioral Control

Guided Imagery Intervention is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Guided Imagery Intervention for:

• Smoking cessation

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Arizona

Lead Sponsor

Trials

545

Recruited

161,000+

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Collaborator

Trials

886

Recruited

677,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A guided imagery-based intervention for smoking cessation was found to be feasible and acceptable, with high retention (81.9%) and adherence (66.7%) rates among 105 participants over a 6-month period.

Quit rates were promising, with 27.9% for the guided imagery group and 38.1% for the control group, indicating that this approach could be a valuable addition to traditional quitline services.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A telephone-based guided imagery tobacco cessation intervention: results of a randomized feasibility trial. Gordon, JS., Bell, ML., Armin, JS., et al.[2021]

The study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a guided imagery (GI) intervention for tobacco cessation delivered via telephone, targeting a diverse group of smokers, including underrepresented minorities.

With 100 participants randomized to either the GI or a standard behavioral intervention over a 6-week period, the study will assess recruitment, retention, and adherence, as well as smoking cessation rates at 6 months, potentially offering a scalable alternative to traditional quitlines.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Testing the feasibility of a guided imagery tobacco cessation intervention delivered by a telephone quitline: Study protocol for a randomized controlled feasibility trial. Gordon, JS., Giacobbi, P., Armin, JS., et al.[2023]

The Be Smoke Free study is a novel randomized clinical trial testing the efficacy of a telephone-delivered guided imagery (GI) treatment for smoking cessation, involving 1200 participants over 5 years, aiming to improve quit rates compared to standard behavioral treatments.

Initial recruitment has begun, with 242 participants enrolled as of March 2023, and follow-up assessments showing high completion rates, indicating strong engagement and potential for effective long-term tobacco cessation support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Testing the Efficacy of a Scalable Telephone-Delivered Guided Imagery Tobacco Cessation Treatment: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial. Gordon, JS., Armin, JS., Giacobbi, P., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 71 adult smokers, those who used guided imagery techniques had a significantly higher smoking abstinence rate of 26% after 24 months compared to 12% in the control group.

The intervention included daily practice of guided imagery, suggesting that this mental technique can be an effective tool for long-term smoking cessation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Guided health imagery for smoking cessation and long-term abstinence. Wynd, CA.[2022]

A new guided imagery-based smoking cessation program is being developed to engage smokers who typically do not use traditional quitline services, particularly targeting men and racial/ethnic minorities.

The program's development involved extensive feedback from 46 participants in small group interviews and pilot testing with 5 smokers, ensuring that the materials are relevant and appealing to underserved populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing a Guided Imagery Telephone-Based Tobacco Cessation Program for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Armin, JS., Nair, U., Giacobbi, P., et al.[2023]

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Adding Virtual Reality Mindful Exposure Therapy to a Cancer ...

This study examined the acceptability of a virtual reality (VR) mindful exposure therapy app for quitting smoking called MindCotine.