A randomised, controlled trial for an Internet-based smoking cessation intervention

Description

We designed an Automated Randomised Controlled Trial from May 2010-until October 2012. The setting was a multi-component, Norwegian, Internet-based, tailored, smoking-cessation intervention comparing two e-health methods. At the time of the study 94% of the adult population had access to Internet in their homes and 96% owned a mobile phone. The overall smoking prevalence declined by 3% in Norway during the study period. We recruited participants (4,335 smokers, 16 years and older) through an open, free, governmental Internet site in Norway.

The results find that at 6 months, the response rate was 21.1% in the text message arm and 18.6% in the email arm (not statistically different). At 6 months, the reported quit rate was 11.5% in the text message and 11% in the email arm (OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.86-1.30).

Goals

To assess the efficiency of an Internet-based, tailored, smoking-cessation intervention delivered by mobile phone text messages versus emails, in a real-world setting.

To assess predictors for successful cessation og smoking for an intervention delivered by mobile phone text messages or emails.

Method

We recruited participants continuously, so the number of participants varied throughout the study. We did not offer Nicotine Replacement Therapy, cessation medication, prizes to participate or biochemical verification of smoking cessation. We compared the two arms, using an intention-to-treat analysis. The interventions were tailored: smoking cessation advice delivered by mobile phone text messages versus emails. Primary and secondary outome measures were adherence and seven-days self-reported point-prevalence abstinence at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post cessation.

Conclusion

We recruited participants continuously, so the number of participants varied throughout the study. We did not offer Nicotine Replacement Therapy, cessation medication, prizes to participate or biochemically verification of smoking cessation. We compared the two arms, using an intention-to-treat analysis. The interventions were tailored smoking cessation advice delivered by mobile phone text messages versus emails. Primary and secondary outome measures were adherence and seven-days self-reported point-prevalence abstinence at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post cessation.