Most smokers return to smoking (relapse) after making a quit attempt, but evidence of effective intervention to prevent relapse is scarce. Taking advantage of recent advances in mobile technologies, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile chat messaging-based relapse prevention intervention in promoting successful quitting in people who recently quit smoking (recent abstainers) using a randomised controlled trial design.
Most smokers who made quit attempts and achieved short-term abstinence return to smoking (relapse) over time, even when aided by effective smoking cessation treatment. Since relapse mostly occurred in the first 4 weeks of abstinence, relapse prevention in the early phase of abstinence could potentially boost long-term abstinence. Several behavioural interventions for smoking relapse prevention have been proposed and tested in RCTs. Yet, a 2019 Cochrane review did not find traditional approaches, including self-help materials, telephone counselling and group therapy, effective in increasing long-term abstinence at 6 months or longer. The widespread use of mobile devices has provided a highly accessible and scalable means for novel behavioural interventions for smoking cessation. A formative qualitative study in current smokers conducted by the investigators showed that mobile chat messaging is a feasible and acceptable platform for delivering smoking cessation support. A subsequent cluster randomised controlled trial on 1148 smokers found that mobile chat messaging combined with brief intervention was effective in increasing biochemically validated abstinence at 6 months. Nonetheless, whether mobile chat messaging could prevent relapse in recent abstainers has remained untested. The investigators did a pilot trial to confirm the feasibility and acceptability of mobile chat messaging for relapse prevention in recent abstainers. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile chat messaging relapse prevention intervention in promoting abstinence in recent abstainers.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
590
Standard smoking cessation treatment (behavioural and pharmacotherapy) provided by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Integrated Centre on Smoking Cessation
Personalised chat messaging focusing on smoking relapse prevention for 3 months from randomisation. A trained counsellor will interact with a participant individually and provide relapse prevention advice via WhatsApp. The participant can also access a supportive chatbot in WhatsApp, which will provide on-demand smoking relapse prevention support when the counsellor is not available (e.g., during nighttime).
SMS text messaging on generic information about the harms of smoking and the benefits of quitting for 3 months from randomisation.
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Integrated Centre on Smoking Cessation
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service Smoking Cessation Programme
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Biochemically validated tobacco abstinence
Verified by an exhaled carbon monoxide level of lower than 5 parts per million or a negative salivary cotinine test
Time frame: 6 months after randomisation
Self-reported 6-month prolonged tobacco abstinence
Not more than five lapses permitted for 6 months after baseline
Time frame: 6 months after randomisation
Self-reported 7-day point prevalent tobacco abstinence
Being completely smoke-free in the past 7 days
Time frame: 3 months after randomisation
Self-reported 7-day point prevalent tobacco abstinence
Being completely smoke-free in the past 7 days
Time frame: 6 months after randomisation
Self-reported relapse rate
Defined as use of tobacco products for 7 consecutive days or longer
Time frame: 3 months after randomisation
Self-reported relapse rate
Defined as use of tobacco products for 7 consecutive days or longer
Time frame: 6 months after randomisation
Biochemically validated tobacco abstinence
Verified by an exhaled carbon monoxide level of lower than 5 parts per million or a negative salivary cotinine test
Time frame: 12 months after randomisation
Self-reported 12-month prolonged tobacco abstinence
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Not more than five lapses permitted for 12 months after baseline
Time frame: 12 months after randomisation
Self-reported 7-day point prevalent tobacco abstinence
Being completely smoke-free in the past 7 days
Time frame: 12 months after randomisation
Self-reported relapse rate
Defined as use of tobacco products for 7 consecutive days or longer
Time frame: 12 months after randomisation