Abstinence Reinforcement Therapy for Smoking
(New HART Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
Seventy to eighty percent of Veterans experiencing homelessness (VEH) smoke, which is four times the rate of the U.S. population and 2.5 times higher than among impoverished Americans. Smoking- related deaths among persons experiencing homelessness occur at double the rate seen among more stably housed people. The purpose of this study study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to help Veterans experiencing homelessness stop smoking. The intervention, called Abstinence Reinforcement Therapy + (ART+), includes telehealth-based counseling, smoking cessation aids, and mobile contingency management (mCM). mCM is an intervention in which participants are paid for smoking abstinence. 120 Veterans who smoke cigarettes and are experiencing homelessness will be randomly assigned to receive either ART+ or usual smoking cessation care. The primary outcome to be evaluated is the rate at which Veterans assigned to the ART+ condition report smoking abstinence and have their abstinence verified using salivary testing.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Jean C Beckham, PhD
Principal Investigator
Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for Veterans who are currently experiencing homelessness and smoke cigarettes. Participants must be willing to try quitting smoking and able to take part in telehealth counseling sessions.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Bupropion
- Clinic-Based Smoking Cessation Counseling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Smoking Cessation
- Mobile Contingency Management
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy
- Varenicline
Trial Overview
The study compares a new program called Abstinence Reinforcement Therapy Plus (ART+), which includes remote counseling, stop-smoking medications, and rewards for not smoking, against standard care. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the two groups.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Abstinence Reinforcement Therapy +, or ART+, includes five sessions and several booster sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy for smoking cessation, two forms of nicotine replacement therapy plus bupropion or varenicline, and mobile contingency management for smoking cessation.
Standard Care Condition will involve referral to local VA clinic-based smoking cessation care. This care often includes pharmacotherapy, counseling options, and/or use of a telephone-based, texting-based or app-based smoking cessation program.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
VA Office of Research and Development
Lead Sponsor
Unbiased Results
We believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your Data
We only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials Only
All of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.