Usage and effectiveness of a fully automated, open-access, Spanish Web-based smoking cessation program: randomized...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• The internet offers a scalable platform for delivering tobacco cessation treatments.
• Evaluating open-access, web-based smoking cessation programs requires assessing adherence and retention alongside abstinence rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the usage and effectiveness of interactive versus noninteractive versions of a fully automated, open-access, web-based smoking cessation program.
• To analyze adherence, retention, and abstinence rates in a real-world setting.

Main Methods:

• 23,213 smokers were randomly assigned to either an interactive or noninteractive web-based program.
• Baseline data included demographics, psychological factors, and smoking characteristics.
• Outcomes assessed at 3 months included dropout rates, module completion, user satisfaction, and self-reported smoking abstinence.

Main Results:

• High program accessibility was noted, but with significant attrition.
• Module completion and specific smoking-related behaviors (time to first cigarette) were associated with higher cessation chances.
• The overall 3-month abstinence rate was 1.74%, with no significant difference found between interactive and noninteractive versions.

Conclusions:

• The web-based smoking cessation program demonstrated high accessibility but poor adherence and retention.
• Ease of enrollment, free access, and lack of professional contact may contribute to high attrition.
• Integrating professional support and potentially a reimbursable fee could mitigate attrition rates.