This decentralized clinical trial assesses the feasibility of conducting a tobacco product evaluation study remotely via telehealth visits and mailed samples. This is an open label, between-subject, randomized pilot study to assess the effect of minimal filter ventilation vs. moderate filter ventilation on smoking behavior and biomarkers of exposure (e.g. nicotine, carbon monoxide) in menthol smokers switched to non-menthol cigarettes. Subjective measures, alveolar carbon monoxide, blood pressure and cigarettes smoked per day will be collected remotely. Biological samples will be collected at home and mailed into the clinic.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
46
4 week intervention where participants will be using minimally ventilated non-menthol cigarettes. Weekly telehealth visits will be conducted during baseline and the 4 weeks on study cigarettes to collect study measures followed by a follow-up one month after end of intervention.
4 week intervention where participants will be using ventilated non-menthol cigarettes. Weekly telehealth visits will be conducted during baseline and the 4 weeks on study cigarettes to collect study measures followed by a follow-up one month after end of intervention.
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Percentage of Participants That Dropped Out
Percentage of Participants that dropped out by week 4.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 4
Feasibility of Approach - Data Collection
Percent reporting difficulty collecting data in the Study Feasibility Questionnaire and interview
Time frame: Baseline through Week 4
Cigarettes Smoked Per Day
Change in mean Cigarettes Per Day (CPD) based on 7 day ITR data before visit. Randomized participants (low vs moderate FV), between-group difference in change in cigarettes per day from baseline to Week 4, comparing low-ventilated versus moderate-ventilated non-menthol cigarette groups. Cigarettes per day (CPD) was calculated as the mean number of cigarettes smoked per day based on daily self-reported cigarette use collected via interactive text response (ITR) surveys. Change scores were computed as the difference between the mean CPD at Week 4 and the mean CPD at baseline for each participant, and group differences reflect the between-arm difference in these change scores.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 4
Cotinine Change
Change in cotinine from baseline to the week 4 visit. Randomized participants (low vs moderate FV), between-group difference in cotinine from baseline to Week 4, comparing low-ventilated versus moderate-ventilated non-menthol cigarette groups. Cotinine was measured from blood samples collected using volumetric absorptive micro sampling (VAMS) and analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Due to skewness, cotinine values were log-transformed, and change was calculated as the log ratio of Week 4 to baseline levels. Group differences represent the between-arm difference in these log-transformed changes.
Time frame: Baseline through week 4
Carbon Monoxide Changes
Change in Carbon Monoxide from baseline to the week 4 visit. Randomized participants (low vs moderate FV), between-group difference in carbon monoxide from baseline to Week 4, comparing low-ventilated versus moderate-ventilated non-menthol cigarette groups. Exhaled carbon monoxide (ppm) was measured remotely using a portable CO monitor during scheduled study visits. Change scores were calculated as Week 4 minus baseline CO levels for each participant, and group differences represent the between-arm difference in these change scores.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 4
Quit Attempts
Number of 24 hour quit attempts analyzed using regression estimate. Randomized participants (low vs moderate FV), between-group difference in quit attempt from baseline to Week 4, comparing low-ventilated versus moderate-ventilated non-menthol cigarette groups.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 4
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