This study investigated the feasibility of a cognitive dissonance-based mobile app for smoking cessation (CDI). Cognitive dissonance refers to the conflict between beliefs and behaviors; interventions are designed to promote this conflict to motivate people to change their behavior. Recent research has demonstrated the efficacy and potential of using cognitive dissonance interventions for a wide range of health and behavioral problems including smoking cessation. This study developed an initial version of the CDI mobile app and evaluated the app in an evaluation study with 60 adult smokers.
An initial version of the CoQuit app was developed and tested with 60 adult smokers. All participants were recruited through social media and were screened and consented online. After enrolling, participants received a link to the baseline survey which asked about past and current tobacco use, nicotine dependence, motivation to quit, cognitive dissonance and demographic information. All participants were assigned to an online support group of 5 or 6 people. The group received simultaneous invites to the app so they were able to move through the 25 day program together. The app contained short videos of a CoQuit facilitator who presented instructions for specific tasks, such as writing a brief letter to a friend or family member explaining their commitment to stop smoking. Participants recorded videos of themselves related to these activities and posted the videos within the app where they were viewed by other members of the group. All participants completed a six weeks post baseline online assessment asking about past and current tobacco use, quit attempts, as well as feedback on usability and possible improvements to the app.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
72
The CoQuit App is a cognitive dissonance based app for smoking cessation.
ORBIS/Oregon Research Institute
Springfield, Oregon, United States
Cognitive Dissonance
Participants were asked to give a "gut-level response" to 14 words used to describe various attributes of cognitive dissonance (e.g., uncomfortable, shame). Response options for each attribute were on a 7-point scale (1 = does not apply at all, 7 = applies very much). A mean score was computed across all 14 words. A higher score was associated with greater levels of cognitive dissonance. In addition to the baseline and six-week follow-up assessment of cognitive dissonance, participants were asked five times during the 25 days of using the app. The five times were after completing the "Costs" activity on day 3, the "Quit Letter" activity on day 6, the "Planning for Pitfalls" activity on day 10, the "Staying Smoke Free" activity on day 14, and the "Letter to Youth" activity on day 19.
Time frame: Baseline, 5 times during app use (days 3, 6, 10, 14 and 19 of the 25 day program), Six weeks post baseline
Number of Participants With Number Cigarettes Smoked Per Day
A one-item question that asked about the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Response options were on a 6-point scale, where 1 = 5 or less, 2 = 6-10, 3 = 11-15, 4 = 16-20, 5 = 21-30, and 6 = 31 or more. A higher score indicates a greater number of cigarettes smoked per day.
Time frame: Baseline and Six Weeks Post Baseline
Readiness to Quit
Participants were asked to rate what best describes how they currently think about quitting smoking. The one item had a 1-point scale (0 = I have no thought about quitting smoking, 2 = I think I need to consider quitting smoking someday, 5 = I think I should quit smoking, but I am not quite ready, 8 = I am starting to think about how to reduce the number of cigarettes I smoke a day, 10 = I am taking action to quit smoking, 11 = I have stopped smoking). A higher score was associated with greater readiness to quit smoking. In addition to the baseline and six-week follow-up assessment of readiness to quit, participants were asked five times during the 25 days of using the app. The five times were after completing the "Costs" activity on day 3, the "Quit Letter" activity on day 6, the "Planning for Pitfalls" activity on day 10, the "Staying Smoke Free" activity on day 14, and the "Letter to Youth" activity on day 19.
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Time frame: Baseline, 5 times during app use (days 3, 6, 10, 14 and 19 of the 25 day program), Six weeks post baseline