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Virtual Reality Smartphone-Based Intervention for Smoking Cessation: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial on Initial
Emilio Goldenhersch1, Johannes Thrul2, Joaquín Ungaretti3,4
1Laboratorio de Investigación en Neurociencia y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Flores, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|July 30, 2020
Summary
This pilot study shows that a virtual reality mindful exposure therapy (VR-MET) program, Mindcotine, significantly improved smoking cessation rates and readiness to quit compared to a standard manual. Further trials are needed to confirm long-term effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health Interventions
- Behavioral Science
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Current tobacco cessation programs face challenges with accessibility and adherence.
- Digital interventions, particularly virtual reality (VR), offer potential solutions.
- VR has not been extensively studied as a remote, self-administered tool for smoking cessation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate participant adherence and smoking cessation outcomes.
- To assess a pilot randomized controlled trial of the Mindcotine digital intervention.
- To explore the combination of VR and mindfulness for tobacco cessation.
Main Methods:
- A pilot randomized controlled trial involving 120 participants in Buenos Aires.
- The treatment group received a 21-day VR-MET program with mindfulness, daily surveys, and online peer support.
- The control group received the standard smoking cessation manual from the Ministry of Health.
Main Results:
- The VR group (Mindcotine) showed significantly higher abstinence rates (23%) at post-intervention compared to the control group (5%).
- Sustained abstinence at 90 days was 33% in the VR group.
- Participants in the VR group demonstrated greater readiness to quit post-intervention.
Conclusions:
- The Mindcotine intervention shows promise for adherence and efficacy in smoking cessation.
- Further large-scale randomized trials are warranted to confirm these findings.
- Improvements in follow-up assessment feasibility for control groups are recommended.
