Weng X, Lau OS, Ng CH, Li WHC, Lam TH, Wang MP. Effect of a workplace mobile phone-based instant messaging intervention on smoking cessation: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.
Addiction 2022;
117:1758-1767. [PMID:
35037319 DOI:
10.1111/add.15804]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
AIMS
To test the effectiveness of intractive, instant messaging chat-based mobile phone support versus text-based mobile phone support integrated with brief interventions on self-reported smoking abstinence in workplaces.
DESIGN
A two-arm parallel cluster-randomized controlled trial with follow-up to 12 months.
SETTING
Seventy-five companies in Hong Kong, China.
PARTICIPANTS
Daily cigarette adult smokers (92.0% male, 90.9% not ready to quit within the next 30 days) from 75 companies (clusters).
INTERVENTIONS
Participants were cluster-randomized to receive text-based support (TBS, n = 375; 38 clusters) or chat-based support (CBS, n = 304; 37 clusters). TBS participants received automated and fix-scheduled text messages on cessation advice and support. CBS participants received fix-scheduled text messages and additional real-time psychosocial and cessation support via instant messaging services (e.g. WhatsApp) by counsellors. Both groups received a 1-hour health talk at baseline and brief telephone counselling at 1 week and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.
MEASUREMENTS
The primary outcome was self-reported 7-day point-prevalence abstinence at 6 months post-treatment initiation. Secondary outcomes included 7-day point-prevalence abstinence at 12 months, repeated 7-day point-prevalence abstinence, smoking reduction, quit attempts and intervention engagement, defined as having read text messages and/or engaged in conversation with counsellors.
FINDINGS
By intention-to-treat assuming that dropouts were smoking, self-reported abstinence was not significantly different between the CBS and TBS groups at 6 months [18.8 versus 21.6%, risk ratio (RR) = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.61, 1.23, retention = 71.3%] and 12 months (21.4 versus 24.0%, RR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.66, 1.21, retention = 70.8%). The repeated 7-day point-prevalence abstinence, smoking reduction and quit attempts were similar between the groups. The participants who were engaged in the text- and/or chat-based interventions had greater abstinence (adjusted RR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.87, 4.52) at 6 months compared with unengaged participants.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with a text messaging mobile phone intervention, a chat-based instant messaging mobile phone intervention did not improve smoking abstinence over 12 months in workplaces. Engagement in text-based or chat-based interventions was associated with higher quit rates compared with non-engagement.
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