Smartphone Apps for Smoking Cessation

This trial evaluates two smartphone apps designed to help people quit smoking. Actify! A employs strategies from behavioral activation therapy, which aids individuals with depression in changing habits like smoking. Actify! B adheres to current guidelines for quitting smoking, providing advice and tools to track progress. Individuals who smoke at least five cigarettes a day, wish to quit soon, and are comfortable using smartphone apps may find this trial suitable. As an unphased trial, it presents a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could assist many in quitting smoking.

The trial does not require you to stop taking your current medications, as long as they are not part of other smoking cessation treatments. You can continue using medications for depression or other mental health conditions.

Research shows that both the Actify! A and Actify! B apps are generally easy for users to handle. Studies have found that users accept Actify! A, and it effectively helps people quit smoking by involving them in meaningful activities. No major reports of negative side effects or problems have emerged from using the app.

Similarly, Actify! B offers quitting strategies based on research and follows current guidelines for stopping tobacco use. Users have not reported any significant negative experiences or harmful effects from this app.

Researchers are excited about the Actify! apps because they offer fresh approaches to smoking cessation by leveraging technology to provide personalized support. Unlike traditional methods like nicotine replacement therapies or counseling, Actify! A focuses on helping users connect with their personal values and engage in meaningful activities while offering tailored messages and feedback. Actify! B, on the other hand, provides practical tools for tracking progress and managing cravings, with an added mood management feature. These digital interventions aim to enhance motivation and provide real-time support, making quitting smoking more accessible and engaging for users.

Research shows that the Actify! apps can help people quit smoking. In this trial, participants will use either the Actify! A app or the Actify! B app. Studies found that 12.6% of Actify! A app users did not smoke for 30 days at the 8-week mark, compared to 7.3% of QuitGuide users. This positive result remained evident at 6 months. The Actify! B app also uses proven methods to help people quit smoking, based on clinical guidelines. Both apps are designed to manage cravings and mood, making them effective tools for those wanting to stop smoking.³⁴⁵⁶⁷