A pilot randomized controlled trial of automated and counselor-delivered text messages for e-cigarette cessation

Authors

Nandita Krishnan, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States.
Carla J. Berg, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States.
Daisy Le, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States.
Jasjit Ahluwalia, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Rhode Island, United States.
Amanda L. Graham, Innovations Center, Truth Initiative, Washington, United States.
Lorien C. Abroms, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Journal

Tobacco prevention & cessation

Volume

9

DOI

10.18332/tpc/157598

Keywords

cessation; e-cigarette; text messaging

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Automated text messaging programs show promise for e-cigarette cessation. Adding live text counseling could make them more engaging. We developed Quit the Vape (QTV), an automated e-cigarette cessation text messaging program, designed to be delivered as stand-alone or with counselor-delivered messages (QTV-C), and evaluated the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of QTV and QTV-C. METHODS: Between May and August 2021, we recruited 58 e-cigarette users, aged 20-43 years, 53.5% male, 63.8% non-Hispanic White, from an ongoing cohort study in the United States. Inclusion criteria were: using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes on ≥4 days per month; smartphone ownership; and not receiving tobacco cessation treatment. Motivation to quit did not impact eligibility. Participants were randomized to QTV (n=20), QTV-C (n=19), or control (link to e-cigarette cessation website, n=19). At end-of-treatment, we assessed program engagement and satisfaction, and self-reported quitting behaviors (e.g. point prevalence abstinence, PPA). RESULTS: At baseline, average past-month e-cigarette use was 26.8 days (SD=6.2). At follow-up at 4 weeks, among QTV and QTV-C participants, ≥85% replied to ≥1 message, ≥35% set a quit date, and ≤15% opted out. More QTV and QTV-C participants (55.6%) versus control (17.7%) reported program satisfaction (p=0.034). QTV-C participants (vs QTV and control) trended more favorably on 7-day e-cigarette PPA [27.8% (95% CI: 11.5-53.3) vs 11.1% (95% CI: 2.6-37.0) and 5.9% (95% CI: 0.7-34.5)] and quit attempts [66.7% (95% CI: 41.6-84.9) vs 50.0% (95% CI: 27.4-72.6) and 52.9% (95% CI: 29.2-75.5)]. CONCLUSIONS: Adding live text counseling to an automated text messaging program is acceptable and shows promise for e-cigarette cessation. A larger trial is warranted to assess its efficacy.

APA Citation

Krishnan, Nandita; Berg, Carla J.; Le, Daisy; Ahluwalia, Jasjit; Graham, Amanda L.; and Abroms, Lorien C., "A pilot randomized controlled trial of automated and counselor-delivered text messages for e-cigarette cessation" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 2399.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2399

Department

Prevention and Community Health