BeFree+Bot for Smoking Cessation

This trial examines how a special chatbot, BeFree+Bot, might assist people in quitting smoking. Participants will receive either regular text messages about quitting or text messages plus support from the chatbot. The aim is to determine if the chatbot eases the quitting process. This trial suits anyone in the U.S. who has smoked a cigarette in the last week, owns a mobile phone, and is open to receiving daily texts about quitting smoking for a month. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative support methods for smoking cessation.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Studies have shown that using a ChatGPT-based chatbot, like BeFreeBot, may help people quit smoking. Research indicates that users of similar chatbots found them easy to use and helpful. No serious side effects have been reported so far. The BeFree+Bot combines text messages with the chatbot to support smoking cessation. As this is a new method, the study aims to ensure its safety and effectiveness for participants. Although it is still early, using a chatbot to aid smoking cessation appears well-received.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about BeFree+Bot for smoking cessation because it combines personalized text messages with access to a specialized ChatGPT chatbot. Unlike traditional methods that often rely on nicotine replacement therapies or counseling, this approach leverages advanced AI technology to offer real-time, tailored support. The chatbot can engage users in meaningful conversations, providing instant motivation and strategies to tackle cravings, making it a potentially more engaging and interactive way to quit smoking.

Research shows that the BeFree+Bot, which uses a chatbot and text messages, may help people quit smoking. Participants in the intervention arm of this trial will receive text messages about quitting smoking and access to a specialized ChatGPT chatbot. An earlier study found that 72% of participants were satisfied with the chatbot, and 58% found it helpful in their efforts to quit. These results suggest that adding a specialized ChatGPT chatbot to a stop-smoking program could enhance its effectiveness. While the evidence is still growing, early signs are positive, indicating that many users find the support helpful for quitting smoking.¹⁶⁷⁸⁹