Smartphone-delivered Scheduled Smoking With Compliance Facilitation as an Adjunct Cessation Therapy: a Feasibility Study

Launched by M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER · Feb 28, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring the use of a smartphone app designed to help people reduce or quit smoking. The study aims to see how well the app works when combined with nicotine patches, which are products that help reduce cravings for cigarettes. Researchers are looking for adults aged 18 and older who smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day and are willing to use the app and patches to help them quit. Participants should also be comfortable using technology, as the study will involve telehealth visits and communication through text or email.

If you choose to participate, you'll receive support through the app and the nicotine patches while being part of a community of others on the same journey to quit smoking. It's important to note that certain people may not qualify for this study, such as those currently taking specific medications or those with recent serious health issues. Overall, this trial aims to gather valuable information on how effective this digital approach can be in helping individuals stop smoking for good.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age: 18 years old or older
• • Smoking: an average of 10 or more cigarettes, little cigars, or cigarillos combined per day within the past 30 days preceding the phone screen
• • Expired carbon monoxide (CO): \> 6 ppm
• • Can install and run the study app on their Android smartphone, or agree to use the study smartphone loaned from the research team
• • Agree to return the study smartphone if the participant loans one from the research team
• • Willing to reduce smoking (Aim 1)
• • Seeking smoking cessation treatment (Aim 2)
• • Fluency in spoken and written English
• • Agree to be treated via telehealth (live audio-video conference and phone) and to be contacted via text and/or email
• • Provide informed consent and agree to all assessments and study procedures
• • Willing to refrain from the use of other nicotine/tobacco products for the duration of the study
• • Willing to refrain from the use of marijuana, prescription medications not prescribed to the participant, and illegal drugs
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Taking psychotropic, anticonvulsive, or narcotic medication
• • Meet criteria for a current major depressive episode or suicidality according to the PHQ (indicated by a score of 10 or higher).
• • Involved in current and imminent (within the next 45 days) smoking cessation activity
• • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• • Shares the same address as a currently enrolled participant
• • Unwilling to use or allergic to nicotine patches (Aim 2)
• • Considered by the investigator to be an unsuitable or unstable candidate, such as those who appear to have cognitive impairment, and those who reside in a shelter, group/recovery facility, or treatment facility
• • Any plans to move out of the state in the next 6 months
• • Using marijuana, prescription medications not prescribed to the participant, and illegal drugs on a daily basis
• • Have experienced abnormal heart rhythms or cardiovascular disease, such as stroke, chest pain, and heart attack, in the last month (Aim 2)