SMARTPHONE apps are up to three times as effective as no or minimal support at helping people who smoke quit using tobacco long term, suggests a analysis of the available evidence published today.
Noting that many studies are encumbered by limited sample sizes and methodological issues, the researchers suggested that if high quality clinical trials can confirm lasting benefits and key features, such apps could become a cornerstone of global tobacco control efforts.
Most currently available quit smoking apps utilise either traditional behavioural frameworks, focused on directly modifying smoking behaviour, or psychological-behavioural theories, targeting cognition, emotion regulation and motivation through techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness, the researchers explained.
In higher quality studies, findings suggested that apps based on psychological behavioural theories significantly increased abstinence in the short term at three months by 69%, and in the long term at six months by 36% when compared with apps based on traditional behavioural interventions.
"Smartphone apps can deliver intensive, interactive and real-time behavioural support, exceeding the effect of brief advice," the team wrote in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine.
"When combined with traditional interventions - especially pharmacotherapy - they may substantially improve abstinence rates over traditional methods alone.
"Consequently, smartphone apps represent a scalable alternative or adjunct to traditional cessation services, particularly in resource-limited settings," they suggested.
Read the research HERE. KB
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