Re-Connect App for Smoking Cessation

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen by Bethany Raiff, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Rowan University

Disqualifiers: Emphysema, Asthma, COPD, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This series of studies will explore the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of making access to smartphone applications contingent on objective evidence of smoking abstinence.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on smoking cessation and smartphone app use, so it's best to ask the trial organizers for more details.

What data supports the effectiveness of the Re-Connect App for Smoking Cessation treatment?

Research shows that smartphone apps can be effective tools for helping people quit smoking by providing real-time, personalized support and tracking progress. Similar apps have been used by large numbers of people and have shown positive effects on smoking-related outcomes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Re-Connect App treatment for smoking cessation differ from other treatments?

The Re-Connect App for smoking cessation is unique because it likely uses mobile technology to provide personalized, real-time support and motivation, which can be more engaging and effective compared to traditional methods. Unlike standard treatments, it may focus on helping users understand and manage their specific smoking triggers through a smartphone app. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Research Team

Bethany Raiff, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rowan University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults who have smoked at least 10 cigarettes daily for over 2 years, want to quit smoking (strong desire), can use a smartphone, and speak English. They must not have health issues like severe lung conditions or unmanaged mental health problems.

Inclusion Criteria

I have smoked 10 cigarettes daily for 2+ years and am 18 or older.

I strongly want to quit smoking.

Has prior experience using a smartphone, speak English, and are literate, will be eligible for the study

Exclusion Criteria

My mental health condition is either not treated or has been under treatment for less than 6 months.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Usability and Acceptability Testing

Small focus groups and feedback sessions to gain insight into the acceptability and usability of Re-Connect, followed by single-case design studies for extended app use

12 weeks

Multiple sessions (in-person and virtual)

Randomized Control Trial (RCT)

Pilot RCT to test feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Re-Connect with two groups: Submission Contingent and Abstinent Contingent

6 months

Regular monitoring and CO sample submissions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Re-Connect (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests two methods using smartphone apps that reward quitting smoking: one restricts app access unless you prove you're smoke-free, while the other rewards abstinence with more app features.

Participant Groups

Group I: Abstinent Contingent (AC) Re-Connect Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this group will be able to unblock highly desired, but non-essential (e.g., social networking, shopping, games) applications contingent on meeting goals for smoking abstinence, as verified by meeting carbon monoxide goals (CO\<=6ppm).

Group II: Submission Contingent (SC) Re-Connect Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in this group will also be able to unblock their applications, but contingent on submitting CO samples and independent of meeting CO goals for smoking abstinence.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rowan University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

25

Recruited

3,000+

University of Kentucky

Collaborator

Trials

198

Recruited

224,000+

Dr. William T. Abraham

University of Kentucky

Chief Medical Officer since 2019

MD, University of Kentucky

Dr. Kenneth Cundy

University of Kentucky

Chief Executive Officer

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Kentucky

Findings from Research

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the 'CureApp Smoking Cessation' (CASC) app in improving smoking cessation rates among individuals with nicotine dependence, alongside a standard 12-week treatment program, with a total of 580 participants expected to be recruited.

CASC is designed to enhance treatment outcomes by providing personalized support through video tutorials, AI advice, and CO monitoring, and the primary outcome will be the continuous abstinence rate from weeks 9-24, which is anticipated to be significantly higher than that of a control app.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel Smoking Cessation Smartphone App Integrated With a Mobile Carbon Monoxide Checker for Smoking Cessation Treatment: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Nomura, A., Tateno, H., Masaki, K., et al.[2020]

Smartphone applications for smoking cessation have been shown to increase quit rates among smokers, particularly when users engage with features like audiovisual content, quit plans, and progress tracking.

While these apps can help reduce relapse rates, the effectiveness varies based on how well users adhere to the app's features, indicating that user engagement is crucial for success.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Mobile Apps for Smoking Cessation: A Review. Regmi, K., Kassim, N., Ahmad, N., et al.[2020]

A smartphone app designed for smoking cessation effectively assessed real-time risk for smoking lapses and provided tailored messages, leading to greater reductions in smoking urges, stress, and cigarette availability among participants (N=59) over a 3-week period.

Messages specifically tailored to individual triggers, such as smoking urges and stress, were more effective in reducing those triggers compared to generic messages, suggesting that personalized interventions can enhance smoking cessation efforts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An ecological momentary intervention for smoking cessation: The associations of just-in-time, tailored messages with lapse risk factors. Hébert, ET., Stevens, EM., Frank, SG., et al.[2022]

Out of 651 smartphone apps analyzed for smoking cessation, only 15 were focused specifically on this goal, with a majority categorized as calendars or information tools.

The evaluated apps showed a low adherence to established smoking cessation guidelines, with a mean score of only 12.8, indicating a need for improvement and the development of future apps based on evidence-based practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of smartphone apps for smoking cessation available in Portuguese. Formagini, TD., Ervilha, RR., Machado, NM., et al.[2018]

Mobile health applications are effective tools for helping individuals change their smoking habits, as they provide counseling and motivation for smoking cessation.

The review analyzed 12 studies that highlighted four different technological approaches, demonstrating the versatility and potential of mobile devices in supporting smokers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smoking Cessation: Services and Applications for Mobile Devices. Kefaliakos, A., Pliakos, I., Chardalias, K., et al.[2018]

Out of 112 smoking cessation apps reviewed, only six were identified as high-quality and partially adhered to Australian smoking cessation treatment guidelines, indicating a lack of robust options for users.

Only two of the high-quality apps had their efficacy evaluated, highlighting the need for more research to assess the effectiveness of smoking cessation apps and ensure they provide reliable support for users.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Free smoking cessation mobile apps available in Australia: a quality review and content analysis. Thornton, L., Quinn, C., Birrell, L., et al.[2022]

References

1. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel Smoking Cessation Smartphone App Integrated With a Mobile Carbon Monoxide Checker for Smoking Cessation Treatment: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. [2020]

2. Greece pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Mobile Apps for Smoking Cessation: A Review. [2020]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An ecological momentary intervention for smoking cessation: The associations of just-in-time, tailored messages with lapse risk factors. [2022]

4. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of the Smoking Cessation App Ex-Smokers iCoach and Associations With Smoking-Related Outcomes Over Time in a Large Sample of European Smokers: Retrospective Observational Study. [2023]

5. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of smartphone apps for smoking cessation available in Portuguese. [2018]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A content analysis of popular smartphone apps for smoking cessation. [2022]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smoking Cessation: Services and Applications for Mobile Devices. [2018]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Free smoking cessation mobile apps available in Australia: a quality review and content analysis. [2022]

9. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design Considerations for Smoking Cessation Apps: Feedback From Nicotine Dependence Treatment Providers and Smokers. [2022]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Automated, Online Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial of a Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention for Smoking Cessation (Quit Sense). [2023]