A pilot randomized controlled trial of automated and counselor-delivered text messages for e-cigarette cessation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Automated text messaging programs show promise for e-cigarette cessation. Adding live text counseling could make them more engaging. We developed Quit the Vape (QTV), an automated e-cigarette cessation text messaging program, designed to be delivered as stand-alone or with counselor-delivered messages (QTV-C), and evaluated the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of QTV and QTV-C. METHODS Between May and August 2021, we recruited 58 e-cigarette users, aged 20–43 years, 53.5% male, 63.8% non-Hispanic White, from an ongoing cohort study in the United States. Inclusion criteria were: using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes on ≥4 days per month; smartphone ownership; and not receiving tobacco cessation treatment. Motivation to quit did not impact eligibility. Participants were randomized to QTV (n=20), QTV-C (n=19), or control (link to e-cigarette cessation website, n=19). At end-of-treatment, we assessed program engagement and satisfaction, and self-reported quitting behaviors (e.g. point prevalence abstinence, PPA). RESULTS At baseline, average past-month e-cigarette use was 26.8 days (SD=6.2). At follow-up at 4 weeks, among QTV and QTV-C participants, ≥85% replied to ≥1 message, ≥35% set a quit date, and ≤15% opted out. More QTV and QTV-C participants (55.6%) versus control (17.7%) reported program satisfaction (p=0.034). QTV-C participants (vs QTV and control) trended more favorably on 7-day e-cigarette PPA [27.8% (95% CI: 11.5–53.3) vs 11.1% (95% CI: 2.6–37.0) and 5.9% (95% CI: 0.7–34.5)] and quit attempts [66.7% (95% CI: 41.6–84.9) vs 50.0% (95% CI: 27.4–72.6) and 52.9% (95% CI: 29.2–75.5)]. CONCLUSIONS Adding live text counseling to an automated text messaging program is acceptable and shows promise for e-cigarette cessation. A larger trial is warranted to assess its efficacy.

Cytisinicline for Vaping Cessation in Adults Using Nicotine E-Cigarettes

“…In young adults, an open-label pilot trial of nicotine replacement found potential vaping cessation efficacy, and text messaging was effective in a large trial . Promising data have come from pilot trials of other behavioral treatments …”

“…7 Evidence from clinical trials to guide vaping cessation treatment, especially pharmacotherapy, is limited. [8][9][10][11][12][13] Varenicline demonstrated efficacy for e-cigarette cessation among adults in a randomized trial, 8 and a pilot trial suggested efficacy for nicotine replacement. 9 No medication has approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for vaping cessation.…”

Recruiting Latino young adults into a vaping cessation study via social media: Feasibility and cost analysis

“…However, emerging research in the US is hampered by limited racial and ethnic diversity among participants. For example, a recently completed randomized controlled trial (RCT) with young adults (aged 18–24 years) demonstrated the effectiveness of the first vaping cessation intervention 6 . Limitations of the RCT included the small representation of Latinos (10.6%) – the largest minority group in the US 7 – and the exclusion of Spanish-speaking individuals 6 .…”

“…For example, a recently completed randomized controlled trial (RCT) with young adults (aged 18–24 years) demonstrated the effectiveness of the first vaping cessation intervention 6 . Limitations of the RCT included the small representation of Latinos (10.6%) – the largest minority group in the US 7 – and the exclusion of Spanish-speaking individuals 6 . Given the substantial gap in vaping control research among Latinos, the purpose of the present study was thus two-fold: 1) assess the feasibility and cost of recruiting Latino young adults (aged 18–25 years) into a vaping cessation study via social media, and 2) describe the baseline characteristics of participants enrolled via social media.…”

“…Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use (vaping) is a significant public health concern due to its associated health risks, including co-use of marijuana and alcohol, heavy metal exposure, and lung injury [1][2][3][4] . In response, research on vaping cessation is emerging [5][6] . However, emerging research in the US is hampered by limited racial and ethnic diversity among participants.…”