scholarly journals Impact of a Novel Smartphone App (CureApp Smoking Cessation) on Nicotine Dependence: Prospective Single-Arm Interventional Pilot Study (Preprint)

Author(s):  
Katsunori Masaki ◽  
Hiroki Tateno ◽  
Naofumi Kameyama ◽  
Eriko Morino ◽  
Riri Watanabe ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Mobile apps have been considered to provide active and continuous support for smoking cessation. However, it is yet to be known whether a smoking cessation smartphone app improves long-term abstinence rates in nicotine-dependent patients. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the long-term abstinence effect of a novel smartphone app, CureApp Smoking Cessation (CASC), in patients with nicotine dependence. METHODS In this prospective, interventional, multicenter, single-arm study, we provided the CASC app to all the participants, who used it daily for 24 weeks. The CASC app includes features to maximize the therapeutic effect of pharmacological therapies and counseling at outpatient clinics for smoking cessation. The primary endpoint was a continuous abstinence rate (CAR) from weeks 9 to 24, whereas secondary endpoints were CARs from weeks 9 to 12 and 9 to 52. RESULTS Of the 56 adult smokers recruited, 1 did not download the app; therefore, 55 participants constituted the full analysis sample. The CAR from weeks 9 to 24 was 64% (35/55, 95% CI 51%-76%), whereas the CARs from weeks 9 to 12 and 9 to 52 were 76% (42/55, 95% CI 65%-88%) and 58% (32/55, 95% CI 46%-71%), respectively. These CARs were better than the results of the national survey on outpatient clinics with regard to smoking cessation under the National Health Insurance Program and that of the varenicline phase 3 trial in Japan and the United States. There was only 1 participant who dropped out during the 12 weeks of the treatment period. This treatment decreased the scores related to withdrawal and craving symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The addition of CASC to usual smoking cessation therapies resulted in high CARs, high patient retention rates, and improvement of cessation-related symptoms. The smartphone app CASC is a feasible and useful tool to help long-term continuous abstinence that can be combined with a standard smoking cessation treatment program.

Author(s):  
Akihiro Nomura ◽  
Hiroki Tateno ◽  
Katsunori Masaki ◽  
Tomoyasu Muto ◽  
Shin Suzuki ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Smoking cessation treatment programs have been widely available for patients with nicotine dependence. Despite intensive programs, the continuous abstinence rate (CAR) from weeks 9-12 is still about 50%. Recently, a smartphone app emerged as a novel tool for therapeutic interventions, including nicotine dependence. In this study, we developed “CureApp Smoking Cessation” (CASC), which consists of a smartphone app for patients and a Web-based patient management software for doctors with a mobile carbon monoxide (CO) checking device to improve the efficacy of the smoking cessation treatment. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate whether the CASC app is effective for individuals with nicotine dependence in addition to standard smoking cessation programs. METHODS This will be a randomized, sham-controlled, open-label, multicenter trial. We will recruit participants with nicotine dependence, but are otherwise healthy adults. We will randomize and allocate participants 1:1 to the CASC treatment group or a control app group. Both groups will receive a 12-week standard smoking cessation program with pharmacotherapy and counseling. In addition, participants in the treatment group will have the CASC app installed on their smartphone, which will provide video tutorials, advice from an artificial intelligence nurse, a digital diary, and measure daily exhaled CO concentration. In contrast, the control group will have the control app installed on their smartphone, where all the functions that can potentially effect smoking cessation are removed. The primary outcome will be the biochemically validated CAR from weeks 9-24. The success of smoking cessation will be defined as self-reported continuous abstinence from weeks 9-24 and exhaled CO concentration ≤10 ppm both at weeks 12 and 24. The main secondary outcomes will be the CAR from weeks 9-12, weeks 9-52, and 7-day point prevalence abstinence at weeks 4, 8, 12, 24, and 52. RESULTS We will recruit 580 participants with nicotine dependence from October 2017 to September 2018 or until the recruitment process is complete. The final 52-week follow-up will be completed in October 2019. We expect all trial results to be available by the end of 2019. The trial is funded by CureApp, Inc. CONCLUSIONS This is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of CASC. We expect that CASC, in addition to standard smoking cessation programs, has a significantly higher CAR during weeks 9-24 than the control app. CLINICALTRIAL University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000031589; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000033555 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/12252


10.2196/17270 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. e17270
Author(s):  
Ayaka Kato ◽  
Tomoyuki Tanigawa ◽  
Kohta Satake ◽  
Akihiro Nomura

Background Smoking cessation helps extend a healthy life span and reduces medical expenses. However, the standard 12-week smoking cessation program in Japan has several notable problems. First, only 30% of participants complete this program. Second, participants may choose not to participate unless they have a strong motivation to quit smoking, such as health problems. Third, the program does not provide enough support during the period between clinical visits and after 12 weeks. Objective This study examined the efficacy of the 24-week ascure program to address the problems of accessibility and continuous support. The program combines online mentoring, over-the-counter pharmacotherapy, and a smartphone app. Methods Using a retrospective study design, we investigated data for 177 adult smokers who were enrolled in the ascure smoking cessation program between August 2017 and August 2018. The primary outcomes were continuous abstinence rates (CARs) during weeks 9-12 and weeks 21-24. To confirm smoking status, we performed salivary cotinine testing at weeks 12 and 24. We also evaluated the program adherence rate. Finally, we performed exploratory analysis to determine the factors associated with continuous abstinence at weeks 21-24 to provide insights for assisting with long-term continuous abstinence. Results The CARs of all participants for weeks 9-12 and weeks 21-24 were 48.6% (95% CI 41.2-56.0) and 47.5% (95% CI 40.0-54.8), respectively. Program adherence rates were relatively high throughout (72% at week 12 and 60% at week 24). In the analysis of the factors related to the CAR at weeks 21-24, the number of entries in the app’s digital diary and number of educational videos watched during the first 12 weeks were significant factors. Conclusions The ascure program achieved favorable CARs, and participants showed high adherence. Proactive usage of the smartphone app may help contribute to smoking cessation success in the long-term.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayaka Kato ◽  
Tomoyuki Tanigawa ◽  
Kohta Satake ◽  
Akihiro Nomura

BACKGROUND Smoking cessation helps extend a healthy life span and reduces medical expenses. However, the standard 12-week smoking cessation program in Japan has several notable problems. First, only 30% of participants complete this program. Second, participants may choose not to participate unless they have a strong motivation to quit smoking, such as health problems. Third, the program does not provide enough support during the period between clinical visits and after 12 weeks. OBJECTIVE This study examined the efficacy of the 24-week ascure program to address the problems of accessibility and continuous support. The program combines online mentoring, over-the-counter pharmacotherapy, and a smartphone app. METHODS Using a retrospective study design, we investigated data for 177 adult smokers who were enrolled in the ascure smoking cessation program between August 2017 and August 2018. The primary outcomes were continuous abstinence rates (CARs) during weeks 9-12 and weeks 21-24. To confirm smoking status, we performed salivary cotinine testing at weeks 12 and 24. We also evaluated the program adherence rate. Finally, we performed exploratory analysis to determine the factors associated with continuous abstinence at weeks 21-24 to provide insights for assisting with long-term continuous abstinence. RESULTS The CARs of all participants for weeks 9-12 and weeks 21-24 were 48.6% (95% CI 41.2-56.0) and 47.5% (95% CI 40.0-54.8), respectively. Program adherence rates were relatively high throughout (72% at week 12 and 60% at week 24). In the analysis of the factors related to the CAR at weeks 21-24, the number of entries in the app’s digital diary and number of educational videos watched during the first 12 weeks were significant factors. CONCLUSIONS The ascure program achieved favorable CARs, and participants showed high adherence. Proactive usage of the smartphone app may help contribute to smoking cessation success in the long-term.


2020 ◽  
Vol 189 (12) ◽  
pp. 1529-1537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruifeng Chen ◽  
John P Pierce ◽  
Eric C Leas ◽  
Martha M White ◽  
Sheila Kealey ◽  
...  

Abstract Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are the preferred smoking-cessation aid in the United States; however, there is little evidence regarding long-term effectiveness among those who use them. We used the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study to compare long-term abstinence between matched US smokers who tried to quit with and without use of e-cigarettes as a cessation aid. We identified a nationally representative cohort of 2,535 adult US smokers in 2014–2015 (baseline assessment), who, in 2015–2016 (exposure assessment), reported a past-year attempt to quit and the cessation aids used, and reported smoking status in 2016–2017 (outcome assessment; self-reported ≥12 months continuous abstinence). We used propensity-score methods to match each e-cigarette user with similar nonusers. Among US smokers who used e-cigarettes to help quit, 12.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 9.1%, 16.7%) successfully attained long-term abstinence. However, there was no difference compared with matched non–e-cigarette users (cigarette abstinence difference: 2%; 95% CI: −3%, 7%). Furthermore, fewer e-cigarette users were abstinent from nicotine products in the long term (nicotine abstinence difference: −4%; 95% CI: −7%, −1%); approximately two-thirds of e-cigarette users who successfully quit smoking continued to use e-cigarettes. These results suggest e-cigarettes may not be an effective cessation aid for adult smokers and, instead, may contribute to continuing nicotine dependence.


2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy L. Copeland ◽  
Michael S. Businelle ◽  
Diana W. Stewart ◽  
Scott M. Patterson ◽  
Carla J. Rash ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground:Efficacious smoking cessation interventions exist, yet few smokers utilise available resources such as psychosocial treatment programs and pharmacotherapy. The goals of the present study were to (1) identify perceived barriers to entering smoking cessation treatment programs among socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers, who are presently underrepresented in smoking cessation interventions; (2) determine what variables are most important in predicting the barriers identified (i.e., age, gender, ethnicity, income, nicotine dependence level, smoking rate, years smoking, stage of change, presence of smoking-related illness and medical insurance status).Methods:Responses from socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers (N= 343) were collected in 2004–2005 and analysed to develop the Treatment Barriers Questionnaire, a 40-item measure of reasons for not entering smoking cessation programs. Study methods were approved by the Institutional Review Board of Louisiana State University; informed consent procedures were employed.Results:Principal components analysis yielded seven scales named for their theme: (1) Preparedness to Quit Smoking; (2) Work and Time Constraints; (3) Smokers Can or Should Quit on Own; (4) Opinions about Professional Assistance; (5) Mobility Limitations; (6) Insurance Limitations and (7) Misinformation about Professional Assistance. Gender, ethnicity, daily smoking rate, nicotine dependence and stage of change were significant predictors in regression analyses for scales 1,F(10, 201) = 7.83,p< .001,R2= .29, 2F(10, 201) = 2.30,p< .05,R2= .11, and 3,F(10, 201) = 3.58,p< .001,R2= .16. Conclusions: Results can inform efforts to facilitate entry and retention of smokers in cessation programs.


1992 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 797-801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel D. Killen ◽  
Stephen P. Fortmann ◽  
Helena C. Kraemer ◽  
Ann Varady ◽  
Barbara Newman

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 88-91
Author(s):  
Blaine Knox ◽  
Scott Mitchell ◽  
Ellen Hernly ◽  
Alicia Rose ◽  
Hilary Sheridan ◽  
...  

Introduction. Smoking is the number one preventable cause of deathin the United States. Under the Affordable Care Act, Kansas Medicaidcovers all seven FDA-approved smoking cessation therapies.However, it is estimated only 3% of Kansas Medicaid smokers usetreatment compared to the national estimate of 10%. The objectiveis to determine systemic barriers in place that prevent optimal utilizationof Medicaid smoking cessation benefits among KU MedicalCenter Internal Medicine patients. Methods. For this quality improvement project, a population of 169Kansas Medicaid smokers was identified who had been seen at the KUInternal Medicine Clinic from January 1, 2015 - February 16, 2016.Phone surveys were completed with 62 individuals about smokingstatus, interest in using smoking cessation treatment options, andawareness of Medicaid coverage of treatment. Results. Of the 62 respondents, 24 (39%) were prescribed pharmacotherapyand 41 (66%) were interested in using smoking cessationtreatment. There were eight who had quit smoking. Of the remaining54 smokers, 31 (57%) were unaware that Medicaid would coverpharmacotherapy. Of 24 participants who received a prescription forpharmacotherapy, 13 (54%) were able to fill the prescription at no costusing the Medicaid benefit. Conclusion. The majority of respondents were interested in usingsmoking cessation treatment, yet three main barriers existed to usingMedicaid smoking cessation benefits: physicians not prescribingtreatment to patients, patients not aware of Medicaid coverage, andinadequate pharmacy filling. Improved physician and patient awarenessof Medicaid coverage will facilitate more patients receivingsmoking cessation therapy and ultimately quitting smoking.KS J Med 2017;10(4):88-91.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Kotz ◽  
Carolien van Rossem ◽  
Wolfgang Viechtbauer ◽  
Mark Spigt ◽  
Onno C. P. van Schayck

AbstractIn the context of smoking cessation treatment in primary care, identifying patients at the highest risk of relapse is relevant. We explored data from a primary care trial to assess the validity of two simple urges to smoke questions in predicting long-term relapse and their diagnostic value. Of 295 patients who received behavioural support and varenicline, 180 were abstinent at week 9. In this subgroup, we measured time spent with urges to smoke (TSU) and strength of urges to smoke (SUT; both scales 1 to 6 = highest). We used separate regression models with TSU or SUT as predictor and relapse from week 9–26 or week 9–52 as an outcome. We also calculated the sensitivity (SP), specificity and positive predictive values (PPV) of TSU and SUT in correctly identifying patients who relapsed at follow-up. The adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for predicting relapse from week 9–26 were 1.74 per point increase (95% CI = 1.05–2.89) for TSU and 1.59 (95% CI = 1.11–2.28) for SUT. The aORs for predicting relapse from week 9–52 were 2.41 (95% CI = 1.33–4.37) and 1.71 (95% CI = 1.14–2.56), respectively. Applying a cut-point of ≥3 on TSU resulted in SP = 97.1 and PPV = 70.0 in week 9–26, and SP = 98.8 and PPV = 90.0 in week 9–52. Applying a cut-point of ≥4 on SUT resulted in SP = 99.0 and PPV = 85.7 in week 9–26, and SP = 98.8 and PPV = 85.7 in week 9–52. Both TSU and SUT were valid predictors of long-term relapse in patients under smoking cessation treatment in primary care. These simple questions may be useful to implement in primary care.Trial registration: Dutch Trial Register (NTR3067).


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya Vijayaraghavan ◽  
Dorie E. Apollonio

Cigarette smoking contributes substantially to the increased financial- and health-related burdens among adults experiencing homelessness. We describe findings from a case study of a model to increase access to cessation services among adults experiencing homelessness. In partnership with Project Homeless Connect (PHC), we piloted a unique service delivery model that involved providing brief cessation counseling and pharmacotherapy to smokers from this population attending large-scale service events in San Francisco, with the goal of connecting them to long-term smoking cessation care. We participated in three service events between October 2017 and March 2018. We offered brief smoking cessation counseling to 45 individuals, and smoking cessation counseling and pharmacotherapy to 7 individuals experiencing homelessness. This model could improve public health if expanded to other cities, particularly the 200 other cities in the United States offering PHC service events.


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