Mobile phone-based interventions effective in short term for smoking cessation

January 01, 0001

Mobile phone-based interventions effective in short term for smoking cessation

Clinical Question:How effective are mobile phone-based interventions at helping smokers to quit?

Bottom line: The interventions in this review included: a purely text message-based programme with automated proactive text messages and some reactive components (for help with cravings) and interactive (polls/quizzes) components; and an automated email/daily internet page and mobile phone text/audio message programme with proactive and reactive components. Text message mobile phone programmes were effective in the short term (6 weeks) only, and a combined internet and mobile phone programme was effective for up to 12 months (in terms of self-reported quitting).

Caveat: In this review, only one study attempted biochemical verification of quitting at 6 months, and one at 6 weeks. In programmes aimed at young people, where minimal direct contact and anonymity appear to be desired elements, attempting verification may have adverse effects on the collection of follow-up data.

Context: Innovative effective smoking cessation interventions are required to appeal to those who are not accessing traditional cessation services. Mobile phones are widely used and are now well-integrated into the daily lives of many, particularly young adults. Mobile phones are a potential medium for the delivery of health programmes, such as smoking cessation.

Cochrane Systematic Review: Whittaker R et al. Mobile phone-based interventions for smoking cessation. Cochrane Reviews 2009, Issue 4. Article No. CD006611. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006611.pub2. This review contains 4 studies involving 2601 participants.

Cochrane PEARLS Practical Evidence About Real Life Situations. No. 221, January 2010.
Written by Brian R McAvoy. Published by the Cochrane Primary Care Group

Category: Z. Social Problems. Keywords: telephone, interventions, smoking, cessation, mobile phones, cell phone

Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 18 May 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care

To obtain Pearls directly, sign up here for the english language version

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.