Effectiveness of the QuitSure Smartphone App for Smoking Cessation: Findings of a Prospective Single Arm Trial (original) (raw)

Effectiveness of Mobile Apps for Smoking Cessation: Α Review

Tobacco Prevention & Cessation, 2017

INTRODUCTION Smartphone-based smoking cessation interventions are increasingly used around the world. However, the effects of smartphone applications on applicability and efficacy on cessation rate and prevention of relapses are not often evaluated. Therefore, this review aims to assess the evidence on effectiveness of smartphone applications as an intervention tool for smoking cessation support. METHODS We conducted the search using Ovid Medline/PubMed, CENTRAL and Scopus databases dated (January 2007-June 2016). Inclusion criteria include randomized control trials or intervention studies with mobile applications that offer smoking cessation support. Two assessors independently extracted and evaluated the data from each included study. RESULTS The review of eight selected studies illustrate the use of smartphone applications in increasing quit rates among smokers, however adherence to app features influences quit rates. Audiovisual features followed by a quit plan, tracking progress and sharing features are most accepted and utilised app features. However, inconsistency was observed in their association with abstinence or quit rate. App engagement features increase the statistical significance in the quit rate. Development of smartphone applications was supported by behavior change theories in all studies nevertheless; heterogeneous forms of intervention were adopted within studies. Similarly, reduction in relapse attributed to enhanced discussion among quitters using social media applications was observed. CONCLUSIONS Quality evidence is warranted with large sample size to measure effect size of the intervention. Future research on effectiveness and efficacy of smartphone alone and comparisons with other mHealth interventions, such as text messaging would be useful.

A randomized controlled trial of a smoking cessation smartphone application with a carbon monoxide checker

npj Digital Medicine

Evidence of the long-term efficacy of digital therapies for smoking cessation that include a smartphone application (app) is limited. In this multi-center randomized controlled trial, we tested the efficacy of a novel digital therapy for smoking cessation: the “CureApp Smoking Cessation (CASC)” system, including a CASC smartphone app, a web-based patient management PC software for primary physicians, and a mobile exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) checker. A total of 584 participants with nicotine dependence were recruited from October 2017 to January 2018, and allocated 1:1 to the CASC intervention group or the control group. Both groups received a standard smoking cessation treatment with pharmacotherapy and counseling for 12 weeks. Meanwhile, the intervention group used the CASC system, and the control group used a control-app without a mobile CO checker, each for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the biochemically validated continuous abstinence rate (CAR) from weeks 9 to 24. The main...

Feasibility of a Smoking Cessation Smartphone App (Quit with US) for Young Adult Smokers: A Single Arm, Pre-Post Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021

While smartphone applications (apps) have been shown to enhance success with smoking cessation, no study has been conducted among young adult smokers aged 18–24 years in Thailand. Quit with US was developed based on the 5 A’s model and self-efficacy theory. This single arm, pre-post study was conducted aiming to assess results after using Quit with US for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was a biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence of smoking abstinence. The secondary outcomes included smoking behaviors, knowledge and attitudes toward smoking and smoking cessation, and satisfaction and confidence in the smartphone app. A total number of 19 young adult smokers were included; most participants were males (68.4%) with the mean (SD) age of 20.42 (1.46) years. After 4 weeks of study, the primary outcome demonstrated a smoking cessation rate of 31.6%. All 19 participants expressed better smoking behaviors and better knowledge and attitudes toward smoking and smoking cessation. Further,...

Smoking Cessation Apps: A Systematic Review of Format, Outcomes, and Features

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Smoking cessation interventions are effective, but they are not easily accessible for all treatment-seeking smokers. Mobile health (mHealth) apps have been used in recent years to overcome some of these limitations. Smoking cessation apps can be used in combination with a face-to-face intervention (FFSC-Apps), or alone as general apps (GSC-Apps). The aims of this review were (1) to examine the effects of FFSC-Apps and GSC-Apps on abstinence, tobacco use, and relapse rates; and (2) to describe their features. A systematic review was conducted following the internationally Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Of the total 6016 studies screened, 24 were included, of which nine used GSC-Apps and 15 FFSC-Apps. Eight studies reported significant differences between conditions in smoking cessation outcomes, with three of them being in favor of the use of apps, and two between different point-assessments. Concerning Apps features, most GSC-A...

Impact of a Novel Smartphone Application “CureApp Smoking Cessation” on Nicotine Dependence: Prospective Single-arm Interventional Pilot Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Mobile applications have been considered to provide active and continuous support for smoking cessation. However, it is yet to be known whether a smoking cessation smartphone application improves long-term abstinence rates in nicotine-dependent patients. OBJECTIVE We aim to evaluate the long-term abstinence effect of a novel smartphone application, CureApp Smoking Cessation (CASC), in patients with nicotine dependence. METHODS This study was a prospective, interventional, multicenter, single-arm study. We provided the CASC application to all the participants, who used it daily for 24 weeks. The CASC application includes features to maximize the therapeutic effect of pharmacological therapies and counseling at outpatient clinics for smoking cessation. The primary endpoint was a continuous abstinence rate (CAR) from weeks 9 to 24, while secondary endpoints were CARs from weeks 9 to 12 and 9 to 52. RESULTS Of the 56 adult smokers recruited, one did not download the applicati...

Efficacy of a mobile application for smoking cessation in young people: study protocol for a clustered, randomized trial

BMC Public Health, 2013

Background: Tobacco consumption is the most preventable cause of morbidity-mortality in the world. One aspect of smoking cessation that merits in-depth study is the use of an application designed for smartphones (app), as a supportive element that could assist younger smokers in their efforts to quit. To assess the efficacy of an intervention that includes the assistance of a smoking cessation smartphone application targeted to young people aged 18 to 30 years who are motivated to stop smoking. Methods/design: Cluster randomised clinical trial. Setting: Primary Health Care centres (PHCCs) in Catalonia. Analyses based on intention to treat. Participants: motivated smokers of 10 or more cigarettes per day, aged 18 to 30 years, consulting PHCCs for any reason and who provide written informed consent to participate in the trial. Intervention group will receive a 6-month smoking cessation programme that implements recommendations of a Clinical Practice Guideline, complemented with a smartphone app designed specifically for this programme. Control group will receive the usual care. The outcome measure will be abstinence at 12 months confirmed by exhaled-air carbon monoxide concentration of at least 10 parts per million at each control test.

Evaluation of the Tobbstop Mobile App for Smoking Cessation: Cluster Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

JMIR mHealth and uHealth

Background Mobile apps provide an accessible way to test new health-related methodologies. Tobacco is still the primary preventable cause of death in industrialized countries, constituting an important public health issue. New technologies provide novel opportunities that are effective in the cessation of smoking tobacco. Objective This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy and usage of a mobile app for assisting adult smokers to quit smoking. Methods We conducted a cluster randomized clinical trial. We included smokers older than 18 years who were motivated to stop smoking and used a mobile phone compatible with our mobile app. We carried out follow-up visits at 15, 30, and 45 days, and at 2, 3, 6, and 12 months. Participants of the intervention group had access to the Tobbstop mobile app designed by the research team. The primary outcomes were continuous smoking abstinence at 3 and 12 months. Results A total of 773 participants were included in the trial, of which 602 (77.9%) began ...

Adherence of popular smoking cessation mobile applications to evidence-based guidelines

BMC Public Health

Background: Smoking remains one of the major preventable causes of chronic diseases. Considering the promising evidence on the effectiveness of mobile technology for health behaviour change, along with the increasing adoption of smartphones, this review aims to systematically assess the adherence of popular mobile apps for smoking cessation to evidence-based guidelines. Methods: The United Kingdom Android and iOS markets were searched in February 2018 to identify smoking cessation apps. After screening, 125 Android and 15 iOS apps were tested independently by two reviewers for adherence to the National Institute of Care and Excellence (NICE) Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Self-Help Materials and the Five A Guidelines for Smoking Cessation. Pearson chi square tests were run to examine differences between the two operating systems. Results: A majority of apps across both operating systems had low adherence (fulfils 1-2 out of 5 guidelines) to the Five A Guidelines (65.7%) and low adherence (fulfils 1-3 out of 9 guidelines) to the NICE Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Self-Help Materials (63.6%). Only 15% of mobile apps provided information about the benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and even fewer provided information regarding types of NRT products (7.1%) or how to use them (2.1%). In addition, only a minority of apps arrange follow-up appointments or provide additional support to help smokers quit. Conclusion: Similar to previous mobile app reviews dating back to 2014, our findings show that most mobile apps do not follow existing smoking cessation treatment guidelines, indicating little change regarding the availability of evidence-based mobile apps for smoking cessation in the UK market. Smokers seeking to quit, tobacco control policy makers and software developers need to work together to develop apps that are in line with the latest clinical guidelines and strategies to maximise effectiveness.

Smartphone app to help cancer patients stop smoking: Results from a pilot randomized trial on feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness (Preprint)

2019

BACKGROUND Persistent smoking after a cancer diagnosis predicts worse treatment outcomes and mortality, but access to effective smoking cessation interventions is limited. Smartphone applications (“apps”) can address this problem by providing a highly accessible, low-cost smoking cessation intervention tailored to patients with a recent cancer diagnosis. OBJECTIVE Summarize our development process and report trial design, feasibility, participant acceptability, preliminary effectiveness, and impact on processes of change (e.g., cancer stigma) of the first-known smartphone app for smoking cessation tailored to cancer patients. METHODS We used an agile, user-centered design framework to develop a smartphone app called “Quit2Heal”, specifically designed to help cancer patients stop smoking by providing skills training and stories from cancer survivors that focus on coping with internalized shame, cancer stigma, depression, and anxiety as core triggers of smoking. Quit2Heal was compared...