Smartphones and Smoking Cessation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Smartphones and Smoking Cessation: The effects of using a smartphone app as smoking cessation therapy inside and outside of a clinical setting
IRAS ID
148606
Contact name
Brendan Delaney
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Research summary
In an attempt to help smartphone users in England find health-related apps that are reliable and safe to use, the NHS has created a committee to review apps released (NHS 2013). Currently, there are two apps in the smartphone marketplace approved for smoking cessation, but there exists no evidence to prove their effectiveness. In this study, we will investigate two main points: 1) whether using an app as smoking cessation therapy will provide higher quit-rates than quitting with no treatment, and 2) whether having an app prescribed as therapy by a healthcare professional will increase usage rates. My hypothesis is that 1) having an app that provides advice from healthcare professionals will yield higher quit rates than seeking no therapy, and 2) receiving a vote of confidence from a trusted authority such as a nurse will give the app more legitimacy, thus promoting its use. To test these points, we will be working with the NHS-approved app, “Smoke Free,” created by David Crane, a Ph.D. student at UCL.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0626
Date of REC Opinion
24 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion