← Back to Search

Behavioral Intervention

Smoking Cessation Counseling for Nicotine Addiction

N/A
Waitlist Available
Led By James Loughead, Ph.D.
Research Sponsored by University of Pennsylvania
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Treatment-seeking smokers between the ages of 18 and 65, reporting consumption of at least 5 cigarettes per day for at least the past 6 months
Be older than 18 years old
Must not have
Women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, and/or breast feeding
Self-reported brain or spinal tumor
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 6 months after target quit date
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will look at how changes to the brain caused by giving up smoking contribute to whether or not somebody is able to stay smoke-free.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for smokers aged 18-65 who smoke at least 5 cigarettes daily for the past 6 months, plan to stay local for 3+ months, and can consent in English. Excluded are those using other cessation programs, heavy drinkers, drug users, pregnant/breastfeeding women, certain mental health conditions or medications that affect safety.
What is being tested?
The study tests how quitting smoking affects brain changes by providing standard smoking cessation counseling to participants seeking treatment. It aims to understand the neural mechanisms behind the risk of relapse during abstinence.
What are the potential side effects?
Since this trial involves counseling rather than medication or medical procedures, there are no direct side effects from interventions. However, participants may experience withdrawal symptoms typical of smoking cessation.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
Select...
I am a smoker aged 18-65 and smoke at least 5 cigarettes daily for the past 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
Select...
I am not pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Select...
I have a brain or spinal tumor.
Select...
I have a history or current diagnosis of a major mental health disorder.
Select...
I have had a head injury in the past.
Select...
I have a tumor in my brain or spinal cord.
Select...
My weight is over 299lbs.
Select...
I have a history of epilepsy or seizures.
Select...
I have had a stroke in the past.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~6 months after target quit date
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 6 months after target quit date for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Days to relapse
Secondary study objectives
Mood
Nicotine withdrawal
Smoking Urges/Craving
+1 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Standard smoking cessation counselingExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will receive a standard treatment program consisting of smoking cessation counseling.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Standard smoking cessation counseling
2016
N/A
~280

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of PennsylvaniaLead Sponsor
2,084 Previous Clinical Trials
42,726,798 Total Patients Enrolled
James Loughead, Ph.D.Principal InvestigatorUniversity of Pennsylvania
2 Previous Clinical Trials
278 Total Patients Enrolled
~26 spots leftby Dec 2025