A Content Analysis of Popular Smartphone Apps for Smoking Cessation

Abroms, Lorien C.; Westmaas, J. Lee; Bontemps-Jones, Jeuneviette; Ramani, Rathana; Mellerson, Jenelle L.

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2013.07.008

Cited by 333 publications

(333 citation statements)

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“…However, fewer than 10% are successful [2], likely due to the underutilization of proven treatment strategies [2, 6,7]. Limited data exists regarding the content quality and intervention effectiveness of mobile applications (apps) for smoking cessation [8][9][10]. A recent content analysis of such apps revealed low levels of adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines [9,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Limited data exists regarding the content quality and intervention effectiveness of mobile applications (apps) for smoking cessation [8][9][10]. A recent content analysis of such apps revealed low levels of adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines [9,10]. Research is needed to identify which smoking cessation apps offer support rooted in evidence-based treatment strategies and to explore availability of such apps to smokers in need of support.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A systematic review of smartphone applications for smoking cessation

Haskins

Lesperance

Gibbons

et al. 2017

Behav. Med. Pract. Policy Res.

238

161

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of smartphone applications for smoking cessation

Haskins

Lesperance

Gibbons

et al. 2017

Behav. Med. Pract. Policy Res.

238

161

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t Although some apps were developed alongside independent organisations, many that are publicly available are created by commercial developers who are not subject to the same ethical guidelines as university or hospital-based researchers (Abroms, Westmaas, Bontemps-Jones, Ramani, & Mellerson, 2013). Given the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of mHealth solutions, decision-makers may overlook the lack of robust empirical evidence in deciding whether to use them (Boyce, 2012).…”

Section: Evidence Of Safety and Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Realising the technological promise of smartphones in addiction research and treatment: An ethical review

Capon

Hall

Fry

et al. 2016

International Journal of Drug Policy

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Background: Smartphone technologies and mHealth applications (or apps) promise unprecedented scope for data collection, treatment intervention, and relapse prevention when used in the field of substance abuse and addiction. This potential also raises new ethical challenges that researchers, clinicians, and software developers must address. Aims: This paper aims to identify ethical issues in the current uses of smartphones in addiction research and treatment. Methods: A search of three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and PsycInfo) identified 33 studies involving smartphones or mHealth applications for use in the research and treatment of substance abuse and addiction. A content analysis was conducted to identify how smartphones are being used in these fields and to highlight the ethical issues raised by these studies. Results: Smartphones are being used to collect large amounts of sensitive information, including personal information, geo-location, physiological activity, self-reports of mood and cravings, and the consumption of illicit drugs, alcohol and nicotine. Given that detailed information is being collected about potentially illegal behaviour, we identified the following ethical considerations: protecting user privacy, maximising equity in access, ensuring informed consent, providing participants with adequate clinical resources, communicating clinically relevant results to individuals, and the urgent need to demonstrate evidence of safety and efficacy of the technologies. Conclusions: mHealth technology offers the possibility to collect large amounts of valuable personal information that may enhance research and treatment of substance abuse and addiction. To realise this potential researchers, clinicians and app-developers must address these ethical concerns to maximise the benefits and minimise risks of harm to users.

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“…An estimated 11 million smokers in the U.S. own a smartphone, making applications (apps) that target smoking cessation a valuable, wide-spread, and easily accessible tool for individuals and researchers [9]. In 2012, 252 smoking-cessation applications existed for the iPhone, and 148 for the Android [9]. Abroms et al [9] examined the content of 47 popular iPhone apps and 51 Android apps for smoking cessation that were distributed as of February 2012.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, trials comparing MT to alternative treatment approaches typically offered in outpatient clinics such as support groups, acupuncture, individual counseling, or nicotine replacement therapies are lacking. An estimated 11 million smokers in the U.S. own a smartphone, making applications (apps) that target smoking cessation a valuable, wide-spread, and easily accessible tool for individuals and researchers [9]. In 2012, 252 smoking-cessation applications existed for the iPhone, and 148 for the Android [9].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Mindfulness based treatment for smoking cessation: How it works and future directions

Penberthy¹,

Penberthy²,

Lynch³

et al. 2017

Contemp Behav Health Care

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In 2015, over 1.1 billion people smoked tobacco worldwide [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that tobacco use (smoking and smokeless) is responsible for the death of about six million people across the world each year [1]. This total includes about 600,000 people who are also estimated to die from the effects of second-hand smoke [1]. In the United States, smoking costs more than $193 billion in health care costs and lost productivity per year [2]. Although over 70% of smokers want to quit, fewer than 5% achieve this goal annually [2]. Mainstay behavioral treatments for smoking have focused on teaching individuals to avoid cues, foster positive affective states, develop lifestyle changes that reduce stress, divert attention from cravings, substitute other activities for smoking, learn cognitive strategies that reduce negative mood, and develop social support mechanisms. These interventions and methods have shown modest success, with abstinence rates between only 20-30% holding steady over the past thirty years. This low rate of abstinence attainment and lack of improvement in outcomes is presumably due to the complex nature of the acquisition and maintenance of nicotine addiction, including associative learning mechanisms as well as positive and negative reinforcement.The complex learning mechanisms behind the acquisition of nicotine dependence is related to the fact that over time cues that are judged to be positive or negative can induce affective states, which can then trigger a craving to use [3,4]. Though the centrality of craving remains controversial, evidence suggests that craving is strongly associated with using, which, mainly through the physiological properties of nicotine, results in the maintenance or improvement of positive or reduction of negative affective states [4]. This sets up reinforcement loops by reinforcing memories between affect and smoking [3]. Thus, recent attention has been focused on additional strategies to help people tolerate negative affect and cravings rather than only avoiding cues or substituting activities.Recent research suggests that another psychological intervention called mindfulness training (MT) may decouple the association between craving and smoking, thus facilitating smoking cessation. Mindfulness means paying attention in the present moment, non-judgmentally, without commentary or decision-making. MT targets affective or craving states by teaching individuals to observe aversive body and mind states instead of responding to them with habitual reactions, thus allowing more adaptive, healthier responses [5]. MT has shown promise in reducing anxiety and depression and has recently been explored in the treatment of addictions. Davis et al. [6] conducted a pilot study to explore the effect of using Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) (with minor modifications) as a smoking intervention. MBSR was employed in its standard 8 weekly group session format. Subjects attempted smoking cessation during week seven without pharmacotherapy. The researche...

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A Content Analysis of Popular Smartphone Apps for Smoking Cessation

Cited by 333 publications

References 5 publications

A systematic review of smartphone applications for smoking cessation

A systematic review of smartphone applications for smoking cessation

Realising the technological promise of smartphones in addiction research and treatment: An ethical review

Mindfulness based treatment for smoking cessation: How it works and future directions

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