A novel experience-based internet intervention for smoking cessation: feasibility randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• The internet facilitates sharing health experiences, but this has not been widely used for health behavior change interventions.
• Smoking cessation remains a significant public health challenge.
• Novel digital interventions are needed to support smoking cessation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the feasibility of a randomized trial for a novel, experience-based website as a smoking cessation intervention.
• To assess the potential impact of the intervention and a comparator website on smoking behavior.

Main Methods:

• A feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted.
• Participants accessed either an experience-based website or a factual information website for two weeks.
• Feasibility measures (recruitment, usage) and participant-reported outcomes (self-efficacy, motivation, abstinence) were recorded.

Main Results:

• Eighty-seven smokers were randomized; 65 completed follow-up (75%).
• Median usage was 15 minutes for the intervention and 5 minutes for the comparator.
• Participant-reported outcomes were similar between the two groups.

Conclusions:

• Delivering an online intervention using personal experiences for smoking cessation is technically feasible.
• Recruitment was slow, usage was low, and trial attrition occurred.
• Future research should focus on maximizing engagement and understanding the long-term value of such interventions.