Tobacco cessation mobile app intervention (Just Kwit! study): protocol for a pilot randomized controlled pragmatic...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Adolescence and young adulthood are key periods for tobacco use initiation and progression.
• Young adults have low retention rates in traditional smoking cessation programs.
• Smartphone applications (apps) offer real-time support for smoking urges and cues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a commercial smartphone app on tobacco cessation in young adults.
• To generate feasibility data for a future large-scale clinical trial.
• To evaluate the use of a commercially available app in a hospitalized setting.

Main Methods:

• An open randomized controlled trial with parallel groups was conducted.
• Participants aged 18-30 years, hospitalized, smoking >5 cigarettes/day, and owning a smartphone were recruited.
• Eligible participants were randomized to a smartphone app group or usual care (patient-initiated follow-up).

Main Results:

• Primary feasibility data included recruitment rates, retention rates, and adherence via user engagement.
• The study focused on gathering data to inform future, larger trials.
• Specific quantitative results on cessation rates were not the primary focus of this pilot feasibility study.

Conclusions:

• This pilot trial is the first to evaluate a commercial smartphone app for tobacco cessation in hospitalized young adults.
• Data generated will inform larger trials, including comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness studies.
• Findings support the potential of mobile health interventions for smoking cessation in this demographic.