A general health promotion approach to helping smokers with non-communicable diseases quit smoking: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundDespite evidence showing that continued smoking in patients with non-communicable diseases can reduce treatment efficacy and increase the risk of disease progression and multimorbidity, many smoker patients either have no intention to quit or have had failed attempts at quitting.ObjectiveTo examine the feasibility of a general health promotion approach that uses instant messaging to deliver brief motivational interviewing to help smokers with non-communicable diseases quit smoking.MethodsIn total, 60 participants who had medical follow-up in a special out-patient clinic were randomized into two groups, 30 in the intervention group received brief motivational interviewing to assist them with their chosen behavioral changes, and 30 in the control group received only a smoking cessation booklet. The outcome measures included self-reported 7-day point prevalence of smoking abstinence and any behavioral change reported by the participants at 6 and 12 months. Biochemical validation was performed for those who verbally reported a 7-day point prevalence of smoking abstinence at 12 months.ResultsThe majority (95%) of smokers who attended the out-patient clinic owned a smartphone. The response rate was 73.2%. Retention rates at 6-month and 12-month follow-up were 83.3 and 71.7%, respectively. The process evaluation indicated that participants were satisfied with the content of the brief MI messages and appreciated the use of instant messaging as a way to provide them with professional advice and support for managing their health-related lifestyles. The intervention group had a higher biochemically validated abstinence rate than the control group at 12 months (16.7 vs. 6.7 P = 0.23) although the difference was not statistically significant (Adjusted odd ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval, 0.43–13.75; P = 0.32.), In addition, the proportion of participants reporting a behavioral change was higher in the intervention group at 6 and 12 months.ConclusionThis study suggested the potential efficacy and feasibility of a general health promotion approach that uses instant messaging to deliver brief motivational interviewing to help smokers with non-communicable diseases quit smoking. The findings can be used to create a new smoking cessation service model that implements a flexible, proactive and personalized approach to help smokers quit smoking.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03983330.

Health-Risk Behaviors among Chinese Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In our previous study [7], some young smokers expressed their desire to quit smoking because of the need to wear a mask, which made it harder to smoke in public areas; the inability to smoke at home; and a lack of peer pressure to smoke. Second, unlike the majority of young smokers, who tend to be occasional smokers with mild nicotine dependency [29], many adult smokers are chronic smokers with moderate-to-high nicotine dependency [30]. In fact, cigarette smoking is so addictive that many chronic smokers either have no intention of quitting or have difficulty quitting [28].…”

Effectiveness of a self‐determination theory‐based smoking cessation intervention plus instant messaging via mobile application for smokers with cancer: Protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

“…Furthermore, a pilot RCT involving 60 smokers in Hong Kong from 2019 to 2020 found that more than 90% of participants owned a smartphone and could use an instant messaging application (e.g. WhatsApp/WeChat) to communicate [25]. Smokers who do not own a smartphone or are unable to receive WhatsApp/WeChat messages and those with mental illness will receive a smoking cessation leaflet and brief advice on smoking cessation, but will be excluded from the study.…”

“…to communicate [25]. Smokers who do not own a smartphone or are unable to receive WhatsApp/WeChat messages and those with mental illness will receive a smoking cessation leaflet and brief advice on smoking cessation, but will be excluded from the study.…”