This randomized controlled clinical trial examines the effectiveness of a face-to-face\* cognitive-behavioral behavioral treatment to quit smoking enriched with an App. This project aims to innovate in the psychological smoking cessation treatment and increase abstinence rates in the short and long term. \* Due to the COVID-19 the face-to-face treatment will be conducted in an online format.
Psychological treatment (cognitive-behavioral) is a first-line smoking cessation treatment that has proven its efficacy. However, it is necessary to continue investigating to improve smoking outcomes as abstinence and reduce relapse rates. The use of information technologies (ICTs) in the field of health has grown and developed significantly in recent years. Specifically, mobile applications (Apps), aimed at different health-related aspects (mHealth Apps), are a valuable resource. Its use, as a complement to the face-to-face treatment, could help to increase motivation to quit smoking, treatment adherence, and therapeutic activities compliance. mHealth Apps are becoming highly relevant due to their cost-effectiveness and the added attractiveness for many users. Considering this context, the main aim of the present project is to design and assess the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for smoking cessation enriched with a Smartphone App. A randomized clinical trial will be carried out with a sample of 270 treatment-seeking smokers at the Smoking Cessation and Addictive Disorders Unit of the University of Santiago de Compostela. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the following groups: 1. The experimental group (CBT + App), in which participants will receive a cognitive-behavioral treatment\* to quit smoking along with an App with active therapeutic components during the treatment and 12 months follow-ups period (n = 135) 2. The control group (CBT), in which participants will receive the same cognitive-behavioral treatment\* along with the use of a Control App (without active components) during the treatment (n = 135). The main hypothesis is that the combination of a cognitive-behavioral psychological treatment to quit smoking and an App with active therapeutic components will obtain higher abstinence rates at the end of treatment and the 12-month follow-up period, compared to the control group \* Due to the COVID-19, the face-to-face cognitive-behavioral treatment will be conducted in an online format
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
287
Cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation treatment components will be: treatment contract, self-report and graphic representation of cigarette consumption, information about tobacco, stimulus control, activities for the avoidance of withdrawal syndrome, physiological feedback (CO in expired air) on cigarette consumption, nicotine fading (change of cigarette brands each week progressively decreasing the intake of nicotine and tar), and relapse-prevention strategies (assertion training, problem-solving training, change tobacco-related misconceptions, management of anxiety and anger, exercise, weight control, self-reinforcing, and changing irrational beliefs). Participants will use a smartphone App with therapeutic components during the intervention (8 weeks) and follow-up period (time frame: one year).
Cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation treatment components will be: treatment contract, self-report and graphic representation of cigarette consumption, information about tobacco, stimulus control, activities for the avoidance of withdrawal syndrome, physiological feedback (CO in expired air) on cigarette consumption, nicotine fading (change of cigarette brands each week progressively decreasing the intake of nicotine and tar), and relapse-prevention strategies (assertion training, problem-solving training, change tobacco-related misconceptions, management of anxiety and anger, exercise, weight control, self-reinforcing, and changing irrational beliefs). Participants will use a control smartphone App (only to access session materials) during the intervention period (8 weeks).
Smoking Cessation and Addictive Disorders Unit, Faculty of Psychology, University of Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
Point-prevalence abstinence
Participants will be considered abstinent if they report abstinence, not even a puff of a cigarette, for ≥7 days at the end of treatment (week 8 since beginning treatment), and prior to follow-up day at 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up.
Time frame: 1 year
Continuous abstinence
Self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up
Time frame: 1 year
Reduction of cigarette consumption (cigarettes per day)
Reduction of cigarette consumption between baseline and each follow-up will be calculated from the number of cigarettes smoked in the past 7 days at the end of treatment (week 8 since beginning treatment) and at 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up.
Time frame: 1 year
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