What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for smoking cessation, such as peer-group support and mobile messaging interventions, generally have minimal physical side effects but may cause psychological effects like frustration or anxiety. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), including patches and lozenges, can cause side effects such as dizziness, headache, throat irritation, and gastrointestinal issues. These side effects are usually mild and can be managed with proper usage and monitoring.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved several pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation, including varenicline, bupropion, and various forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as patches, lozenges, and gum. These treatments have been shown to improve quit rates in clinical trials. In addition to pharmacotherapy, digital interventions like mobile apps and online platforms have gained attention for their potential to support smoking cessation through real-time monitoring, notifications, and peer-group support, similar to the approach used in the WeChat Quit Coach study.

What other types of research exist?

Promising, novel alternatives to the WeChat Quit Coach for smoking cessation include: 1) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-based smartphone apps, which have shown efficacy in randomized controlled trials in China. 2) The 'Quit with US' smartphone app, which demonstrated a 31.6% smoking cessation rate in a pre-post study among young adults in Thailand. 3) Text message-based interventions like 'Happy Quit,' which have been effective in China. 4) Chat-based instant messaging support integrated with brief interventions, which showed positive results in a community-based trial in Hong Kong.

← Back to Search

WeChat Quit Coach for Smoking Cessation

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Nan Jiang, PhD

Research Sponsored by NYU Langone Health

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Age 18-80 years

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up month 6 follow-up

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests a WeChat program to help Chinese immigrant smokers in NYC quit smoking. The program uses group messages for support and motivation. People will be tracked to see if they successfully quit smoking for a period. WeChat programs have shown potential in helping Chinese smokers quit.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for Chinese immigrants in NYC, aged 18-80, who smoke at least three days a week and have smoked over 100 cigarettes in their lifetime. They must use WeChat regularly, own a smartphone, read and speak Chinese, and be interested in quitting smoking. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals or those already in cessation programs cannot join.

What is being tested?

The study tests a WeChat-based quit-smoking program versus standard leaflets on smoking cessation. Participants are randomly placed into groups: one gets the WeChat Quit Coach for either 6 or 12 weeks; another just receives informational leaflets. All participants can opt to use NRT patches/lozenges.

What are the potential side effects?

Possible side effects from Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) include skin irritation from patches, mouth soreness from lozenges, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. The WeChat intervention itself does not have physical side effects but may impact daily routines.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I am between 18 and 80 years old.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ month 6 follow-up

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~month 6 follow-up

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and month 6 follow-up for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Number of Participants Who Ask Self-Composed Questions

Number of Participants Who Respond to Daily Text Questions

Self-Reported 7-Day Point Prevalence Abstinence Rate at Month 6

+1 more

Secondary study objectives

Average Daily Cigarette Consumption at Week 12

Average Daily Cigarette Consumption at Week 6

Average Score or Knowledge About Harms of Smoking at Week 12

+17 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

3Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Intervention Group BExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Participants will be assigned to a 12-week intervention period.

Group II: Intervention Group AExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Participants will be assigned to a 6-week intervention period.

Group III: Control GroupActive Control2 Interventions

0 / 1Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for smoking cessation include behavioral interventions and pharmacologic therapies. Behavioral interventions, such as peer-group support and mobile messaging, offer social support and continuous motivation, which are essential for sustaining abstinence. Pharmacologic therapies, like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings by providing controlled doses of nicotine without the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. Combining these methods can improve quit rates by addressing both the psychological and physiological components of nicotine addiction, making it easier for patients to quit smoking successfully.

Smoking cessation interventions in South Asian Region: a systematic scoping review.Mindfulness for smoking cessation.Electronic Cigarette Cessation in Youth and Young Adults: A Case Series.