Man Ping Wang1, Tzu Tsun Luk2, Yongda Wu2, William H Li2, Derek Y Cheung2, Antonio C Kwong3, Vienna Lai3, Sophia S Chan2, Tai Hing Lam4. 1. School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. Electronic address: mpwang@hku.hk. 2. School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. 3. Hong Kong Council of Smoking and Health, Hong Kong SAR, China. 4. School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mobile instant messaging apps offer a modern way to deliver personalised smoking cessation support through real-time, interactive messaging (chat). In this trial, we aimed to assess the effect of chat-based instant messaging support integrated with brief interventions on smoking cessation in a cohort of smokers proactively recruited from the community. METHODS: In this two-arm, pragmatic, cluster-randomised controlled trial, we recruited participants aged 18 years or older who smoked at least one cigarette per day from 68 community sites in Hong Kong, China. Community sites were computer randomised (1:1) to the intervention group, in which participants received chat-based instant messaging support for 3 months, offers of referral to external smoking cessation services, and brief advice, or to the control group, in which participants received brief advice alone. The chat-based intervention included personalised behavioural support and promoted use of smoking cessation services. Masking of participants and the research team was not possible, but outcome assessors were masked to group assignment. The primary outcome was smoking abstinence validated by exhaled carbon monoxide concentrations lower than 4 parts per million and salivary cotinine concentrations lower than 10 ng/mL at 6 months after treatment initiation (3 months after the end of treatment). The primary analysis was by intention to treat and accounted for potential clustering effect by use of generalised estimating equation models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03182790. FINDINGS:Between June 18 and Sept 30, 2017, 1185 participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=591) or control (n=594) groups. At the 6-month follow-up (77% of participants retained), the proportion of validated abstinence was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (48 [8%] of 591 in intervention vs 30 [5%] of 594 in control group, unadjusted odds ratio 1·68, 95% CI 1·03-2·74; p=0·040). Engagement in the chat-based support in the intervention group was low (17%), but strongly predicted abstinence with or without use of external smoking cessation services. INTERPRETATION: Chat-based instant messaging support integrated with brief cessation interventions increased smoking abstinence and could complement existing smoking cessation services. FUNDING: Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Mobile instant messaging apps offer a modern way to deliver personalised smoking cessation support through real-time, interactive messaging (chat). In this trial, we aimed to assess the effect of chat-based instant messaging support integrated with brief interventions on smoking cessation in a cohort of smokers proactively recruited from the community. METHODS: In this two-arm, pragmatic, cluster-randomised controlled trial, we recruited participants aged 18 years or older who smoked at least one cigarette per day from 68 community sites in Hong Kong, China. Community sites were computer randomised (1:1) to the intervention group, in which participants received chat-based instant messaging support for 3 months, offers of referral to external smoking cessation services, and brief advice, or to the control group, in which participants received brief advice alone. The chat-based intervention included personalised behavioural support and promoted use of smoking cessation services. Masking of participants and the research team was not possible, but outcome assessors were masked to group assignment. The primary outcome was smoking abstinence validated by exhaled carbon monoxide concentrations lower than 4 parts per million and salivary cotinine concentrations lower than 10 ng/mL at 6 months after treatment initiation (3 months after the end of treatment). The primary analysis was by intention to treat and accounted for potential clustering effect by use of generalised estimating equation models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03182790. FINDINGS: Between June 18 and Sept 30, 2017, 1185 participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=591) or control (n=594) groups. At the 6-month follow-up (77% of participants retained), the proportion of validated abstinence was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (48 [8%] of 591 in intervention vs 30 [5%] of 594 in control group, unadjusted odds ratio 1·68, 95% CI 1·03-2·74; p=0·040). Engagement in the chat-based support in the intervention group was low (17%), but strongly predicted abstinence with or without use of external smoking cessation services. INTERPRETATION: Chat-based instant messaging support integrated with brief cessation interventions increased smoking abstinence and could complement existing smoking cessation services. FUNDING: Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health.
Authors: Xue Weng; Yongda Wu; Tzu Tsun Luk; William Ho Cheung Li; Derek Yee Tak Cheung; Henry Sau Chai Tong; Vienna Lai; Tai Hing Lam; Man Ping Wang Journal: Lancet Reg Health West Pac Date: 2021-07-05
Authors: Tzu Tsun Luk; Derek Yee-Tak Cheung; Helen Ching-Han Chan; Patrick Wai-Yin Fok; Kin Sang Ho; Chu Dik Sze; Tai Hing Lam; Man Ping Wang Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2022-02-15 Impact factor: 5.825
Authors: Xiaoyu Zhang; Yuying Sun; Derek Yee Tak Cheung; Man Ping Wang; Yongda Wu; Kin Yeung Chak; Jianjiu Chen; Lok Tung Leung; William Ho Cheung Li; Tai Hing Lam; Sai Yin Ho Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2022-06-18 Impact factor: 5.825