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Pilot randomized controlled trial of web-based acceptance and commitment therapy for smoking cessation
Jonathan Bricker1, Christopher Wyszynski, Bryan Comstock
1Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA;
Summary
A new web-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention for smoking cessation showed higher user engagement and quit rates compared to standard online resources. This pilot study suggests ACT may be a more effective approach to quitting smoking online.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Web-based smoking cessation interventions have limited effectiveness despite wide reach.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological approach that may improve cessation outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and user receptivity of a novel web-based ACT intervention for smoking cessation.
- To evaluate the intervention's effect on quit rates at 3 months and explore mediation by ACT-based processes.
Main Methods:
- A pilot randomized controlled trial (N=222) compared web-based ACT (WebQuit.org) against the National Cancer Institute's Smokefree.gov.
- Participants were recruited nationally into a double-blind trial.
Main Results:
- Participants using WebQuit.org spent more time on the site and reported higher satisfaction.
- The quit rate at 3 months was more than double in the ACT group (23%) compared to the control group (10%).
- Increased acceptance of smoking cues mediated 80% of the cessation effect.
Conclusions:
- The web-based ACT intervention demonstrated feasibility, higher user engagement, and improved short-term smoking cessation compared to a standard intervention.
- ACT-based mechanisms of change were strongly supported.
- Results are promising but limited by pilot design; a full-scale trial is underway.