A smoking cessation smartphone app that delivers real-time 'context aware' behavioural support: the Quit Sense...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health Interventions
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Environmental smoking cues trigger lapses and relapse during quit attempts.
• Quit Sense is a smartphone app designed as a Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI).
• The app aims to help smokers identify and manage environmental cues during smoking cessation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Quit Sense app.
• To estimate key parameters for a definitive RCT.
• To assess the potential efficacy of Quit Sense in supporting smoking cessation.

Main Methods:

• A parallel, two-arm RCT with qualitative process evaluation and a 'Study Within A Trial' (SWAT).
• Online recruitment, randomization, and data collection via a study website.
• Participants received 'usual care' or 'usual care' plus the Quit Sense app.

Main Results:

• Smoking outcome completion rates were 77% at 6 months; health economic data completion was 70%.
• Biochemically verified 6-month abstinence was 11.5% in the Quit Sense arm vs. 2.9% in usual care (OR=4.57).
• Three of four progression criteria were met; SWAT found incentives did not significantly increase follow-up rates.

Conclusions:

• The trial design and procedures demonstrated feasibility for Quit Sense.
• Evidence supports the potential efficacy of Quit Sense for smoking cessation.
• Progression to a definitive trial is warranted, contingent on improved biochemical validation rates.