Mechanisms of Mindfulness for Smoking Cessation

Brown University80 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to understand brain mechanisms of app-based mindfulness training in smokers ages 21 to 65 years.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Smoking Cessation

Interventions

App/TrainingBEHAVIORAL

This is a free smoking cessation smartphone app using the latest evidence-based smoking cessation methods and behavior change theory. The app allows users to set a quit date, financial goals, and reminders, track daily smoking habits with an easy-to-use calendar, see graphs tracking money saved and number of packs not smoked, receive health milestones and craving tips to stay motivated, connect with social networks to give milestone updates, create a video diary, and watch personalized video messages from loved ones

App/TrainingBEHAVIORAL

It is comprised of twenty-two modules of 10-15 minutes each, designed to teach mindfulness for smoking cessation using psychoeducation-based audio and videos, animations to reinforce key concepts, and in vivo exercises. In addition, 5 bonus modules become available upon completion of earlier modules; these may be accessed for additional practices to bolster other modules.

Smartphone

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 21 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 21-65 years of age * Smoke 10+ cigarettes/day * \< 3 months abstinence in the past year * Have a smartphone; and motivated to quit smoking * Score \>18 of 20 on Action subscale of the Readiness to Change Questionnaire Exclusion Criteria: * Any usage of psychotropic medication: not on a stable dosage 6+ months * Prior participation in a mindfulness course or regular meditation practice (\>20 min/week) * Serious psychiatric, cognitive, or medical disorder * MRI contraindications * Structural brain damage as well as other brain abnormalities revealed by the MRI * Claustrophobia * Not being fluent in English * Recreational drug use * Pregnant women * History of a neurological disorder * Current participation in a smoking study * Adults unable to consent * Prisoners

Locations (1)

University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change From Baseline in Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Signal

BOLD signal change will be measured by fMRI and analyzed using statistical parametric mapping

Time frame: 1 month

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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