Abstract
Online group support potentially help prevent smoking relapse. This two-arm, pragmatic, open-label randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of instant messaging (IM) (i.e., WhatsApp) online group support versus text messages for smoking relapse prevention. The intervention group (n = 469) participated in 8-week counsellor-moderated IM-based online discussion groups and receive messages on preventing relapse via WhatsApp. The control group (n = 459) received similar messages via text messaging for 8 weeks. Primary outcome was biochemically validated tobacco abstinence (exhaled carbon monoxide < 4 parts per million; or saliva cotinine < 10 ng/ml) at 12-month follow-up. By intention-to-treat, intervention and control groups showed similar prevalence of biochemically validated abstinence (11.9% versus 11.7%, risk ratio [RR] = 1.01; 95%CI 0.71–1.44; P = 0.93). The interactive IM-based online group support was costly but did not increase smoking abstinence compared to simple text messaging. More interactive digital health interventions are more costly but may not be more effective than simple text messaging. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: # NCT03717051.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2460-2477 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 19 Jan 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2025 |
Bibliographical note
We express our deep appreciation to all the smoking cessation clinics under Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Hospital Authority, and Pok Oi Hospital for facilitating all recruitment activities. We are grateful to all the project coordinators, including Ms. Tiffany Lai, Ms. Chloe Lau, Mr. Ken Lin, Mr. Andy Ho, Ms. Anna Lau, and Mr. Timmy Man, for their effort to recruit participants and administrative duties.Publisher Copyright:
© 2024, The Author(s).
Funding
This work was supported by Health Care and Promotion Scheme of the Health Medical Research Fund, Health Bureau, the Hong Kong SAR Government (grant number 01170418). This research was funded by grant 15162691 from the Health and Medical Research Fund of the Food and Health Bureau, The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. MPW is the principal investigator of one family well‐being project funded by Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. SSCC is the principle investigator of elderly well-being project funded by Sino Group. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Keywords
- Smoking
- Tobacco
- Relapse prevention
- Instant messaging
