~84 spots leftby Apr 2026

VR Smoking Cessation Program for Quitting Smoking

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
BB
Overseen byBelinda Borrelli, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Waitlist Available
Sponsor: Boston University
No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to test whether a smoking cessation induction intervention delivered during a dental cleaning appointment increases the utilization of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for smoking cessation within 7 months post-dental cleaning appointment. Approximately 400 cigarette smokers who are scheduled for a dental cleaning appointment at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BUGSDM) patient treatment center will be recruited and enrolled. Participants will be randomized to either the intervention or control group

Do I have to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

Yes, if you are currently using medications for smoking cessation or smoking reduction, you cannot participate in this trial.

What data supports the idea that VR Smoking Cessation Program for Quitting Smoking is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that text messaging, which is a part of the VR Smoking Cessation Program, is effective in helping people quit smoking. It has been shown to increase the likelihood of attending smoking cessation clinic appointments and can encourage people to use web-based tools for quitting. Text messaging is widely used and can be a helpful tool in supporting people to stop smoking. Compared to other methods like self-help booklets, web-based interventions with tailored messages, which can include text messaging, have been more effective in reducing tobacco use.12345

What safety data exists for the VR Smoking Cessation Program?

The available research primarily focuses on text messaging programs for smoking cessation, which are related to the VR Smoking Cessation Program. These studies indicate that text messaging interventions are generally well-received and show promise in helping people quit smoking. Participants in these programs reported high satisfaction and engagement, with no significant safety concerns mentioned. However, specific safety data for the VR Smoking Cessation Program itself is not detailed in the provided research.678910

Is the VR Smoking Cessation Program a promising treatment for quitting smoking?

Yes, the VR Smoking Cessation Program is a promising treatment. It uses virtual reality to engage smokers, even those not ready to quit, by showing them videos during dental cleanings. Participants found it satisfying and informative, and many reported increased motivation to quit smoking. Some even quit smoking after using the program.2781112

Research Team

BB

Belinda Borrelli, PhD

Principal Investigator

Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Massachusetts residents who smoke cigarettes, have smoked over 100 in their lifetime, and use text messaging. They must be patients at the Boston University Dental Medicine center with an upcoming dental appointment, able to understand study materials, watch a video, and wear headphones. Excluded are those already in smoking cessation studies or using cessation meds.

Inclusion Criteria

I have smoked cigarettes in the last week.
Patient of the Boston University, Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine treatment center with an upcoming dental hygiene appointment (dental prophylaxis or scaling and root planing)
Is able to understand written and spoken study materials
See 9 more

Exclusion Criteria

Failure to show up to scheduled dental appointment at the clinic
Previous participation in the pilot phase
Could not watch video during dental appointment
See 3 more

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Assessment text messages (Behavioural Intervention)
  • Brochure of smoking cessation EBTs (Behavioural Intervention)
  • Control video (Behavioural Intervention)
  • Experimental smoking cessation video (Behavioural Intervention)
  • Tailored text message program (Behavioural Intervention)
Trial OverviewThe study tests if a smoking cessation video and follow-up texts during a dental visit can increase the use of proven quitting methods within 7 months post-visit. Participants will either receive this intervention or control content randomly during their scheduled cleaning at BUGSDM.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Intervention groupExperimental Treatment3 Interventions
Participants randomized into the intervention arm will watch smoking cessation videos (ready to quit or not ready to quit) during a dental cleaning clinic visit, receive a brochure about EBTs, and participate in a 4-week text message program which consists of automated and tailored text messages to motivate EBT utilization. After the 4-week program, the intervention group will receive monthly assessment text messages.
Group II: Control groupActive Control3 Interventions
Participants randomized into the control arm will watch a control video during a dental hygiene visit and receive a brochure about EBTs, and a 4-week assessment-only text message program.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Boston University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
494
Recruited
9,998,000+
Sophie Kornowski profile image

Sophie Kornowski

Boston University

Chief Executive Officer since 2022

MBA from the University of Chicago, Doctorate in Pharmacy from Paris Descartes University

Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni profile image

Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni

Boston University

Chief Medical Officer

MD from McGill University

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

Collaborator

Trials
312
Recruited
853,000+
Janice S. Lee profile image

Janice S. Lee

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

Clinical Director

DDS, MD, MS

Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque profile image

Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

Acting Director

DDS, PhD

Findings from Research

A text messaging (SMS) program developed for adult smokers in primary care received high ratings for clarity and usefulness, with 96% of messages rated positively by participants.
Patients expressed a desire for personalized messages, inclusion of e-cigarette information, and graphics, while also identifying gaps in knowledge about nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) safety and effectiveness, highlighting the importance of tailoring interventions to meet smokers' needs.
Combining Real-Time Ratings With Qualitative Interviews to Develop a Smoking Cessation Text Messaging Program for Primary Care Patients.Kruse, G., Park, ER., Shahid, NN., et al.[2023]
The study aims to enhance adherence to a web-based smoking cessation program by integrating a text messaging intervention, focusing on four key features: personalisation, integration, dynamic tailoring, and message intensity, with 860 adult smokers participating in the initial phase.
In the second phase, 600 adult smokers will be randomly assigned to either the web-based program alone or the program combined with the optimized text messaging intervention, with the goal of measuring the impact on smoking cessation rates after 9 months.
Optimising text messaging to improve adherence to web-based smoking cessation treatment: a randomised control trial protocol.Graham, AL., Jacobs, MA., Cohn, AM., et al.[2019]
The Tobacco Tactics website, designed for veterans, underwent usability testing and received positive feedback, leading to over 27 modifications to enhance user experience, with 83% of participants finding it enjoyable and easy to navigate.
In a pilot study, veterans using the Tobacco Tactics website along with nicotine replacement therapy achieved a 40% abstinence rate at 30 days, compared to only 13% in the control group, indicating its potential effectiveness in helping veterans quit smoking.
The development of the tobacco tactics website.Duffy, SA., Fowler, KE., Flanagan, PS., et al.[2021]

References

Combining Real-Time Ratings With Qualitative Interviews to Develop a Smoking Cessation Text Messaging Program for Primary Care Patients. [2023]
Optimising text messaging to improve adherence to web-based smoking cessation treatment: a randomised control trial protocol. [2019]
The development of the tobacco tactics website. [2021]
Randomized trial of a smartphone mobile application compared to text messaging to support smoking cessation. [2022]
Does Short Message Service Increase Adherence to Smoking Cessation Clinic Appointments and Quitting Smoking? [2019]
Text2Quit: results from a pilot test of a personalized, interactive mobile health smoking cessation program. [2022]
A pilot randomized controlled trial of automated and counselor-delivered text messages for e-cigarette cessation. [2023]
Smoking cessation support delivered via mobile phone text messaging (txt2stop): a single-blind, randomised trial. [2022]
How do smokers use a smoking cessation text messaging intervention? [2018]
Randomized controlled trial of a web-based computer-tailored smoking cessation program as a supplement to nicotine patch therapy. [2015]
Virtual Reality Smartphone-Based Intervention for Smoking Cessation: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial on Initial Clinical Efficacy and Adherence. [2020]
Delivery of a smoking cessation induction intervention via virtual reality headset during a dental cleaning. [2021]