The investigators developed a text messaging-based smoking cessation program called SMS (Stop My Smoking) USA. It was tailored for the unique needs and smoking habits of young adults. The investigators hypothesized that those in the SMS USA intervention would be significantly more likely to be quit at 6-months compared to the attention-matched control group.
About one in four young adults are current smokers. Although over half report the desire to quit or cut down, quit rates in this age group have remained stagnant in the last ten years. Text messaging may represent a compelling intervention delivery method for smoking cessation for young adults because it is a medium they have widely adopted. Cell phone interventions also are unique because of their 'always on' capability - interventions are never far from the young adult's reach and they are received automatically instead of requiring the participant to initiate contact in order to receive the information. Dr. Ybarra, along with Drs. Holtrop and Graham, have developed SMS Turkey, an innovative behavioral intervention that uses text messaging to deliver CBT-based smoking cessation information to participants daily. Successful use of text messaging to deliver smoking cessation programs has been reported by Rodgers and colleagues in New Zealand and a replication study they are leading in the United Kingdom. These data provide optimism for the feasibility of text messaging-based smoking cessation programs in the United States. Using qualitative methods to inform design and content, and quantitative methods to assess the feasibility of the program, we propose to design and test SMS (Stop My Smoking) USA, a cell-phone based smoking cessation program for young adults ages 18-25. This innovative smoking cessation program uses technology widely adopted by young adults, an under-targeted population, to deliver a proactive, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based intervention. Our multidisciplinary team of researchers brings together expertise in Internet health and the design of tailored smoking cessation interventions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
164
Intervention participants receive text messages daily pre-and post-quit. Everyone receives messages 14 days prior to the Quit day, and through the day after Quit. Then, participants are 'pathed' to particular messages based upon their self-reported smoking status at Day 2 and Day 7 post quit, respectively. Those who are successful at quitting receive messages aimed at relapse prevention whereas those who have slipped receive messages aimed at getting the person to recommit to quitting and trying again.
Internet Solutions for Kids, Inc.
Santa Ana, California, United States
Continuous Abstinence at 3-months Assessed in Accordance With the NIH Behavior Change Consortium's Recommendations
Continuous abstinence is defined as 5 or fewer cigarettes smoked since one's quit date. The question was asked based upon West et al., 2005: "Have you smoked at all, even just a puff, since \[insert quit date\]?" If yes, the respondent will be probed for how many cigarettes were smoked. Responses will be categorized into one of three options: A) No, not a puff; B) 1-5 cigarettes; C) More than 5 cigarettes. Self-reported cessation is confirmed by a significant other.
Time frame: 3-months post-quit
Point Prevalence
A cigarette, even just a puff, within the last 7 days (yes/no).
Time frame: 4-weeks post-quit
Continuous Abstinence at 4-weeks Post-quit
Smoking five or fewer cigarettes since quit day at 4 weeks post-quit as verified by a significant other
Time frame: 4 weeks post-quit
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.