A randomised, controlled trial of a mobile phone, TXT message based smoking cessation intervention

Rationale

Smoking is a leading cause of death in New Zealand. Approximately 700,000 New Zealanders currently smoke but about 1 in 5 are actively trying to quit. It has been suggested that future research in this field is likely to focus on individualised self help material delivered in a variety of formats. The pervasiveness of mobile phones in New Zealand society particularly among 18 - 25 year olds presents an opportunity to determine the effectiveness of this channel for delivering a smoking cessation intervention program.

Aims

The primary aim is to investigate whether a package of mobile phone based support can improve smoking cessation rates at 6 weeks. 12 week and 26 week cessation will also be assessed. Furthermore, the efficacy of mobile phone based interventions will be reviewed.

Design

A randomised control trial with an intervention group receiving a personalised package of mobile phone based support including cessation advice, motivation and encouragement, diversionary information and feedback and, a control group receiving a less intensive standard series of TXT messages.

Funding

The principal funders of the study are the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand, UniServices and Vodafone NZ.

CTRU Investigators

Mark Jones
Ruey-bin (Ray) Lin
Anthony Rodgers
Mary Wills

Collaborators

Dale Bramley, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland
Tim Corbett, Social & Community Health, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland
Tania Riddell, Maori and Pacific Health, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland

Publications

1. Rodgers A, Corbett T, Bramley D, Riddell T, Wills M, Lin R-B, Jones M. Do u smoke after txt? Results of a randomised trial of smoking cessation using mobile phone text messaging. Tobacco Control 2005; 14(4): 255-61.
2. Bramley D, Riddell T, Whittaker R, Corbett T, Lin R-B, Wills M, Jones M, Rodgers A. Smoking cessation using mobile phone text messaging is as effective in Maori as non-Maori. New Zealand Medical Journal 2005; 118(1216): U1494.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it