Evaluating an Adaptive and Interactive mHealth Smoking Cessation and Medication Adherence Program: A Randomized Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer scalable solutions for smoking cessation.
• Previous research has not fully established the feasibility, acceptability, or effectiveness of mHealth smoking cessation programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the My Mobile Advice Program (MyMAP).
• To estimate the effects of MyMAP on smoking cessation and medication adherence.
• To inform future research on mHealth smoking cessation interventions.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-six smokers were randomized to either a standard self-help mHealth program or an adaptive, interactive MyMAP program.
• Both groups received a 12-week course of varenicline.
• Feasibility and acceptability were measured through ratings, utilization metrics, and feedback; smoking abstinence and medication adherence were assessed at multiple follow-ups.

Main Results:

• The MyMAP program showed high utilization, with experimental participants logging in significantly more often than controls.
• A majority of experimental participants found MyMAP helpful, easy to use, and would recommend it.
• Smoking abstinence rates were 36% in the experimental group versus 24% in the control group; medication adherence showed no significant difference.

Conclusions:

• The MyMAP intervention is feasible and acceptable for smokers aiming to quit.
• The study was not powered to determine statistical significance in smoking abstinence or medication adherence.
• Results suggest MyMAP warrants further investigation in a larger randomized trial.