Txt2stop: a pilot randomised controlled trial of mobile phone-based smoking cessation support

Abstract

Fax 020 7299 4663Tel 020 7958 8109 Word count 2131Key words: Smoking cessation, cell phone, randomised controlled trial, quit 2 Abstract Aim To conduct a pilot randomised controlled trial of mobile phone based smoking cessation support intervention for the UK population.Design Randomised controlled trial (TXT2Stop). Setting: CommunityParticipants 200 participants responding to radio, poster and leaflet based promotions regarding the trial. Main outcome measures:The response rate for the outcome measures planned for the main trial. Participants' qualitative responses to open-ended questions about the intervention content. Secondary outcomes were the outcomes planned for the main trial including the point prevalence of self reported smoking at 4 weeks and pooled effect estimate for the short term results for the STOMP and txt2stop trials. Results:The response rate at 4 weeks was 96% and at 6 months was 92%. The results at 4 weeks show a doubling of self reported quitting RR (95% CI) 2.08(1.11-3.89) 26% vs. 12%. The pooled effect estimate combining txt2stop and a previous NZ trial in the short term is RR (95% CI) 2.18 (1.79-2.65). ConclusionsMobile phone based smoking cessation is a novel and innovative means of delivering smoking cessation support which doubles the self reported quit rate in the short term. It could represent an important, but as yet largely unused medium to deliver age appropriate public health measures. The long term effect of this mobile phone based smoking cessation support will be established by a large RCT currently in recruitment.3

Randomized Controlled Trial of MyLastDip: A Web-Based Smokeless Tobacco Cessation Program for Chewers Ages 14-25

“…The use of mobile treatment adjuncts is consistent with a recent Pew Report (Lenhart, Purcell, Smith, & Zickuhr, 2010) and other similar reviews (Nielsen, 2009), concluding that texting is indispensable to the lives of American teens and young adults. Finally, there is growing evidence showing that automated text messaging can assist health behavior change (Fjeldsoe, Marshall, & Miller, 2009;Fjeldsoe, Miller, & Marshall, 2010;Patrick, Griswold, Raab, & Intille, 2008) including tobacco cessation (Brendryen, Drozd, & Kraft, 2008;Free et al, 2009;Rodgers et al, 2005). In this promising scenario, the web-based program could deliver a full-featured, engaging, tailored intervention, whereas the tightly integrated mobile adjunct could push messages to participants' phones in order to promote interaction, increase motivation, challenge dysfunctional beliefs, and provide cues to action (Webb, Joseph, Yardley, & Michie, 2010).…”

Mobile technology: a synopsis and comment on “mobile phone-based interventions for smoking cessation”

“…Three interventions included text messages only [3][4][5]. One intervention included text messages and a web-based quit coach [6], while the last used text messages with links to internet videos [7].…”

“…Free et al adapted the intervention developed by Rodgers and colleagues (2009) to be delivered in the UK as a pilot study (2009) [4] and then as a full trial (2011) [5]. The findings from the small pilot study by Free et al [4] did not have significant results; however, the results from the full trial [5] demonstrated improvements in abstinence rates at the 6-month time point. Rodgers et al [3] found the same results in New Zealand.…”

Using Mobile Technology to Improve Bone-Related Lifestyle Risk Factors in Young Women With Low Bone Mineral Density: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

“…However, support and encouragement rendered to patients are limited within existing healthcare infrastructures and even traditional informational media (brochures, posters etc.). This would be where the far-reaching capabilities of mobile technologies can be tapped into to allow low-cost interventions and support interactivity, hence allowing patients to "obtain extra help when needed" [10][11][12].…”