A randomized trial of Text2Quit: a text messaging program for smoking cessation.
Lorien C Abroms1, Ashley L Boal1, Samuel J Simmens1
1Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|June 11, 2014
Summary
The Text2Quit mobile health program significantly increased smoking cessation rates. This text messaging intervention demonstrated higher biochemically confirmed abstinence compared to self-help materials.
Area of Science:
- Digital health interventions
- Mobile health (mHealth)
- Smoking cessation research
Background:
- Text messaging programs show promise for smoking cessation.
- Text2Quit is an automated, personalized, interactive mobile health program.
- It delivers advice, support, and reminders to aid smoking cessation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Text2Quit.
- Assessed biochemically confirmed repeated point prevalence abstinence.
- Conducted within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in the U.S.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 503 participants online and randomized them.
- Intervention group received Text2Quit; control group received self-help material.
- Assessed smoking status at baseline and 1, 3, 6 months; collected saliva for biochemical confirmation.
Main Results:
- Text2Quit group showed higher biochemically confirmed abstinence (11.1%) vs. control (5.0%).
- Self-reported abstinence was also significantly higher in the intervention group (19.9%) vs. control (10.0%).
- Effects were consistent across demographic subgroups, with a potential larger effect for non-whites.
Conclusions:
- Text2Quit demonstrates relative efficacy in promoting smoking cessation.
- Provides initial evidence supporting the use of mobile health programs for quitting smoking.
- Results suggest a valuable tool for public health initiatives targeting tobacco users.
