txt2stop trial shows that text messages support doubles quitting
Text messaging is an innovative approach to the problem of smoking, which is estimated to cause more than five million deaths each year worldwide. Stopping smoking has huge implications for health but although two out of three smokers would like to give up, they often fail. Almost 6,000 people took part in the txt2stop trial, which evaluated this new way of helping smokers beat their addiction.
The study examined the long-term effects of specially-designed text messages by testing the levels of cotinine (a chemical found in tobacco) found in participants’ saliva after they reported they had stopped smoking for six months.
A total of 5,800 smokers were randomly allocated to the txt2stop programme or a control group. The txt2stop group received five text messages a day for the first five weeks and then three per week for the next 26 weeks with a personalised system which also allowed people to receive instant messages at times of need by texting the word ‘crave’ or ‘Lapse’.
The messages, which were developed with input from smokers and smoking cessation professionals, encouraged participants to persevere and focused on their success so far.
Control group participants received fortnightly text messages thanking them for taking part in the trial.
The results showed that continuous abstinence – verified by chemical tests - at six months was significantly increased in the txt2stop group – 10.7% success txt2stop versus 4.9% success control. The study found txt2stop worked well for all ages and across all social groups.
Dr Caroline Free at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine led the trial which was published in The Lancet and is freely available on line at:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2811%2960701-0/abstract
The trial was funded by the Medical Research Council.
Following the publication of the trial Dr Caroline Free has worked with the Department of Health in England on their text message based stop smoking support program. This is freely available for residents in England http://smokefree.nhs.uk/ways-to-quit/support-on-your-mobile/
Collaborators
Prof Anthony Rodgers from the George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney developed the initial concept for text messaging support for smoking cessation in the STOMP trial. Dr Robyn Whittaker from the University of Auckland managed the IT team supporting the program. QUIT, a UK charity which helps smokers who want to give up supported the development of messages and recruitment to the trial.
Funders
Funding for txt2stop was provided by the UK Medical Research Council. Primary Care Research Networks and GPRF supported trial recruitment. Cancer Research UK funded the pilot trial.
Staff
- Dr Caroline Free
- Professor Ian Roberts
- Rosemary Knight
- Steve Robertson
- Josenir Astarci
