Smoking cessation app with real-time support nearly doubles quit rates in clinical trial
Smoking rates in the United States have been on a steady decline over the past several decades. However, one group that continues to struggle with high smoking rates is people with low incomes, leading to significant health disparities. In an effort to help this vulnerable population quit smoking, researchers at the University of Oklahoma conducted a clinical trial that tested the effectiveness of a smartphone app in aiding tobacco cessation.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, compared two different smartphone tobacco cessation apps: Smart-T, developed by OU researchers, and QuitGuide, a product of the National Cancer Institute. Smart-T is designed to provide real-time, tailored messages to users based on their smoking risk throughout the day. On the other hand, QuitGuide is a static app that allows users to track their cravings and offers tips for resisting the urge to smoke.
After six months of using the apps, participants who used Smart-T were nearly twice as likely to have quit smoking compared to those who used QuitGuide. Dr. Emily Hébert, the lead author of the study and a member of the TSET Health Promotion Research Center at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, emphasized that Smart-T acts as a virtual tobacco cessation counselor, providing personalized support to users based on their unique risk factors and experiences.
During the trial, which included 454 low-income smokers from across the United States, participants using Smart-T received prompts throughout the day to input information about their smoking urges, stress levels, mood, and other variables that increase the risk of smoking. The app’s algorithm then generated a risk score and delivered tailored messages to help users cope with their cravings, such as recommending breathing exercises or suggesting the use of nicotine replacement therapy.
Participants in both groups were provided with nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges to aid in their cessation efforts. The study also utilized biofeedback technology to verify participants’ smoking status through carbon monoxide measurements and facial recognition software.
The results of the trial not only demonstrated the effectiveness of Smart-T in helping low-income adults quit smoking but also highlighted the potential of smartphone interventions as a convenient and accessible tool for smoking cessation. Dr. Hébert noted that while not everyone may benefit from apps like Smart-T, they offer a low-cost and readily available option for those looking to quit smoking.
Future research will focus on studying Smart-T in larger groups across the United States and exploring longer follow-up periods to assess the app’s sustained impact on smoking cessation. The ultimate goal is to find the most effective approach to tobacco cessation that caters to the diverse needs of individuals trying to quit smoking.
In conclusion, the study underscores the potential of smartphone apps like Smart-T in addressing the unique challenges faced by low-income smokers and providing them with the support they need to successfully quit smoking.
