Testing the Smoke Free app in Early Intervention Services
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using smartphone apps for smoking cessation in first-episode psychosis: A feasibility study
IRAS ID
303451
Contact name
Joseph Firth
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN61035897
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Research Summary:
There is an increasing amount of investment, research and innovation around using digital technologies in novel ways to improve people’s physical health. However, the extent to which these new digital or “mHealth” solutions are accessible, usable and beneficial for people with mental illness is under-researched. This is despite people with mental illness already experience drastic disparities in physical health, having a 2-3 fold risk of cardiovascular diseases and ~15 year reduced life expectancy compared to the general population.A key contributing factor towards this is the disproportionately high rates of tobacco smoking in people with mental illness. Therefore, to begin addressing this gap, this study will examine the acceptability and feasibility of using the ‘Smoke Free’ app to support smoking cessation in young people in the early stages of treatment for a severe mental illness such as a psychotic disorder, termed ‘first-episode psychosis’ (FEP). For this study, 30 participants with FEP will be recruited from Early Intervention Services (EIS) in the NHS. Each participant will be introduced to the Smoke Free smartphone app, and asked to use this for a period of 6 weeks. Participants’ usage of the app, their attitudes and behaviours around smoking cessation will be measured before and after the intervention, alongside survey-style questions on their physical and mental well-being.
In this way, the results of this study will aim to determine the feasibility and acceptability of using a smartphone app to engage young adults with SMI in smoking cessation in EIS.Lay summary of study results: This study tested whether a smartphone app could help young people experiencing early psychosis to reduce smoking. Among participants enrolled, most used at least one app feature, such as cravings tracking or an interactive “dragon.” After six weeks, around three-quarters of participants completed follow-up, and younger participants were more likely to stay involved. Some participants reduced their cigarette intake and smoking intensity, and one person quit entirely. There were also signs of improved emotional health, with reduced depression and stress reported. No serious problems arose. Overall, using the app may be a safe, acceptable way to support smoking reduction in this group.
REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0865
Date of REC Opinion
26 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion