Twitter-enabled Mobile Messaging for Smoking Relapse Prevention
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Smoking Cessation |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Pulmonary / Respiratory Diseases |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 59 |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | January 2012 |
| End Date: | June 2014 |
In Phase I (N=40), we developed a treatment protocol for smoking cessation and relapse
prevention that used virtual quit-smoking Twitter groups and Twitter-enabled interactive
peer messaging. We tested and refined this protocol using two quit-smoking Twitter groups.
In Phase II (N=160), we conducted a two-arm (test vs. control) randomized controlled trial
of the treatment protocol created in Phase I. In Phase III (N=80) we ran additional
quit-smoking Twitter groups and tested various interventions to increase engagement in the
intervention, e.g., peer leaders. This research provided crucial data about the viability
and methodology to be used in a larger randomized controlled trial that would directly
measure smoking behavior.
prevention that used virtual quit-smoking Twitter groups and Twitter-enabled interactive
peer messaging. We tested and refined this protocol using two quit-smoking Twitter groups.
In Phase II (N=160), we conducted a two-arm (test vs. control) randomized controlled trial
of the treatment protocol created in Phase I. In Phase III (N=80) we ran additional
quit-smoking Twitter groups and tested various interventions to increase engagement in the
intervention, e.g., peer leaders. This research provided crucial data about the viability
and methodology to be used in a larger randomized controlled trial that would directly
measure smoking behavior.
Smoking relapse rates remain high, innovative strategies are needed to lower them, and
web-based social networking may help like Twitter. This developmental research examined
whether providing virtual (web-based) social support to smokers, through Twitter-enabled
interactive peer texting, could help smokers quit and avoid relapses. Twitter is a free
social networking and micro-blogging service, one of the most advanced and novel
technologies available today that can provide social support to smokers, and it provides
free texting to groups. It is global and has many features that are associated with
treatment success including interactive, multi-way, live messaging and mobile accessibility,
because the messages go instantly to mobile phones and to the web. It can provide an
innovative way to reach smokers who might otherwise not seek treatment, and it can be
extended to other health domains.
In Phase II which took place from June 2012 through 2013, we conducted a two-condition
randomized controlled trial (Aim 2). All participants in this trial (N=160) received 8 weeks
of free nicotine patches, referral to the NCI's online Smokefree.gov Quit Guide, and
instruction to set a quit date within 1 week of study start. Participants were also randomly
assigned at the individual level to one of two conditions: (1) a virtual quit-smoking
Twitter group condition where the group members were instructed to use Twitter-enabled
interactive peer messaging to help them quit and stay quit, or (2) a control group condition
where the group members were not given this instruction or a Twitter group. In total, there
were 4 Twitter groups and 4 control groups with 20 smokers randomly assigned to each group
(i.e., N=80 test, N=80 control). The primary outcome was self-reported 7-day point
prevalence abstinence that was sustained at 7, 30 and 60 days after the quit date.
Participants' tweets, their virtual and face-to-face social networks, and several other
possible mediating and moderating variables were also analyzed.
web-based social networking may help like Twitter. This developmental research examined
whether providing virtual (web-based) social support to smokers, through Twitter-enabled
interactive peer texting, could help smokers quit and avoid relapses. Twitter is a free
social networking and micro-blogging service, one of the most advanced and novel
technologies available today that can provide social support to smokers, and it provides
free texting to groups. It is global and has many features that are associated with
treatment success including interactive, multi-way, live messaging and mobile accessibility,
because the messages go instantly to mobile phones and to the web. It can provide an
innovative way to reach smokers who might otherwise not seek treatment, and it can be
extended to other health domains.
In Phase II which took place from June 2012 through 2013, we conducted a two-condition
randomized controlled trial (Aim 2). All participants in this trial (N=160) received 8 weeks
of free nicotine patches, referral to the NCI's online Smokefree.gov Quit Guide, and
instruction to set a quit date within 1 week of study start. Participants were also randomly
assigned at the individual level to one of two conditions: (1) a virtual quit-smoking
Twitter group condition where the group members were instructed to use Twitter-enabled
interactive peer messaging to help them quit and stay quit, or (2) a control group condition
where the group members were not given this instruction or a Twitter group. In total, there
were 4 Twitter groups and 4 control groups with 20 smokers randomly assigned to each group
(i.e., N=80 test, N=80 control). The primary outcome was self-reported 7-day point
prevalence abstinence that was sustained at 7, 30 and 60 days after the quit date.
Participants' tweets, their virtual and face-to-face social networks, and several other
possible mediating and moderating variables were also analyzed.
Inclusion Criteria:
- must have smoked 100 cigarettes during their lifetime
- must currently smoke 5 or more cigarettes a day
- must be in the preparation stage of quitting smoking
- ages 18-59 years
- English speaking
- have a mobile phone with an unlimited texting plan and internet access
- use text messaging at least once a week
- use Facebook daily
- have an active email account
- live in the continental USA
Exclusion Criteria:
- a medical condition that is contra-indicated for nicotine replacement therapy:
- pregnant
- breast feeding
- a recent heart attack
- an irregular heartbeat
- high blood pressure not controlled with medication
- skin allergies to adhesive tape or serious skin problems
- taking a prescription medicine for depression or anxiety
- use drugs or marijuana regularly
- live in the same household with another participant
We found this trial at
2
sites
University of California, Irvine Since 1965, the University of California, Irvine has combined the strengths...
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