Smartphone Interventions for Smoking Cessation

This trial aims to help people quit smoking through a smartphone app that sends personalized intervention messages. The app uses real-time data, such as location and stress levels, to provide support when needed, drawing on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The goal is to test and improve the effectiveness of these messages in reducing smoking urges. This trial may suit individuals living in the U.S. who carry their smartphone daily and plan to quit smoking soon. Participants should have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke regularly. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance smoking cessation support for many.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on using a smartphone app to help quit smoking.

Research shows that mobile phones can safely assist people in quitting smoking. Studies have found that text message programs increase the number of individuals who stop smoking for at least six months. One study found that these programs help people remain smoke-free longer compared to not using any support.

Smartphone apps also send personalized messages to aid smoking cessation. These apps can deliver messages when someone is likely to smoke, providing support when it's needed most. Although still under research, these tools appear promising and generally safe.

Researchers are excited about this smartphone-based intervention for smoking cessation because it uses a personalized approach powered by a reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm. Unlike standard options like nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medications, this treatment sends tailored messages based on real-time data, such as the user's location and smoking triggers. The app not only learns from each user's behavior to deliver cognitive-behavioral and acceptance therapies at just the right moments but also aims to empower users by making quitting smoking more manageable and timely. This approach represents a shift towards using technology to provide dynamic support, potentially increasing the success rates of quitting smoking.

Research has shown that mobile phones can significantly aid in quitting smoking. Studies have found that supportive text messages increase the chances of quitting, with some research noting benefits lasting at least six months. A review found that these messages help people stay smoke-free by encouraging progress reporting. In this trial, participants will receive personalized intervention messages through a smartphone app, guided by a reinforcement learning algorithm. These messages, which may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), or attention control, trigger upon geofence entry at high-risk locations. Overall, evidence supports that smartphone messages are a helpful tool in efforts to stop smoking.¹²⁴⁵⁶