A small-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) will pilot test a personalized JITAI designed to guide delivery of fast acting nicotine replacement therapy (NRT; lozenge) in real-time, to prevent smoking relapse. Specifically, a smartphone application (app), will integrate pre-quit smoking data with objective location data captured via global positioning system (GPS) to establish relapse risk (hotspot) algorithms. During a quit attempt, the GPS-enabled app (QuitBuddy) will detect proximity to hotspots and deliver NRT prompts, all of which will occur automatically and prior to exposure. Thus, QuitBuddy will optimize NRT use to prevent cue-provoked cravings known to undermine sustained abstinence, thereby repurposing this evidence-based cessation medication to promote relapse prevention. QuitBuddy will be tested against standard care (NRT with brief instructions). Two versions of QuitBuddy will be tested, which will differ only in how hotspot algorithms are derived: retrospectively from locations recalled at the onset of a quit attempt (QuitBuddy-Recall) or based on real-time EMA completed pre-quit (QuitBuddy).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
94
QuitBuddy treatment app and 1 month supply of 4 mg nicotine lozenge
QuitBuddy-Recall treatment app and 1 month supply of 4 mg nicotine lozenge
1 month supply of 4 mg nicotine lozenge
Meharry Medical College
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Abstinence from cigarettes
Biochemically-verified smoking status (CO\<6) obtained at 3-month follow-up
Time frame: 12 Weeks
Abstinence from cigarettes
Biochemically-verified smoking status (CO\<6) obtained at 1-month follow-up
Time frame: 4 weeks
Abstinence from cigarettes
Biochemically-verified smoking status (CO\<6) obtained at 1-week follow-up
Time frame: 1 week
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.