# An mHealth Intervention With Financial Incentives to Promote Smoking Cessation and Physical Activity Among Black Adults: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial

## TL;DR

This study tests a mobile health program with financial rewards to help Black adults quit smoking and be more active, aiming to reduce health disparities.

## Contribution

The study introduces a culturally tailored mHealth intervention combining financial incentives for both smoking cessation and physical activity.

## Key findings

- Feasibility will be assessed through recruitment, retention, and engagement rates.
- Primary outcomes include verified smoking abstinence and increased daily step counts.
- Expected results include a net gain of 500 to 1500 steps per day compared to baseline.

## Abstract

Black adults in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of tobacco- and obesity-related diseases, driven in part by disparities in smoking cessation and physical activity. Smartphone-based interventions with financial incentives offer a scalable solution to address these health disparities.

This study aims to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a mobile health intervention that provides financial incentives for smoking cessation and physical activity among Black adults.

A total of 60 Black adults who smoke (≥5 cigarettes/d) and are insufficiently physically active (engaging in <150 min of weekly moderate-intensity physical activity) will be randomly assigned to either HealthyCells intervention (incentives for smoking abstinence only) or HealthyCells+ intervention (incentives for both smoking abstinence and daily step counts). Participants will use study-provided smartphones, smartwatches, and carbon monoxide monitors for 9 weeks (1 wk prequit date through 8 wk postquit date). Feasibility will be evaluated based on recruitment rates, retention, and engagement. The primary outcomes include carbon monoxide–verified, 7-day smoking abstinence at 8 weeks postquit date and changes in average daily step count. Feasibility benchmarks include a recruitment rate of ≥5 participants per month, a retention rate of ≥75%, and a smoking abstinence rate of ≥20% at 8 weeks postquit date. Expected increases in physical activity include a net gain of 500 to 1500 steps per day compared to baseline.

Recruitment is expected to begin in February 2025 and conclude by September 2025, with data analysis completed by October 2025.

This study will evaluate the feasibility of a culturally tailored mobile health intervention combining financial incentives for smoking cessation and physical activity promotion. Findings will inform the design of larger-scale trials to address health disparities through scalable, technology-based approaches.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05188287; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05188287

PRR1-10.2196/69771