Gain-Framed Text Messages and Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smoking Cessation Among Lung Cancer Screening Patients: A Brief Report of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

TL;DR

A pilot study tested a smoking cessation intervention combining nicotine replacement therapy and positive text messages for lung cancer screening patients, showing modest success.

Contribution

This study introduces a novel combination of gain-framed text messaging and nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation in lung cancer screening patients.

Findings

At 8 weeks, 14.3% of the intervention group achieved abstinence compared to 0% in the control group.

Up to 61.9% of the intervention group used nicotine lozenges during the study.

The study highlights the need for more effective cessation strategies for this population.

Abstract

People who undergo lung cancer screening (LCS) and continue to smoke are at risk for negative clinical outcomes and lowered survival and need effective smoking cessation interventions. This pilot study tested an 8-week intervention for smoking cessation after LCS. The participants (N = 40) were randomized to the intervention group (combination nicotine replacement therapy [NRT] plus gain-framed text messaging for 8 weeks) or the control group (standard cessation counseling) after LCS. Assessments were completed at 8-week and 3-month follow-ups, including self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence. The mean age was 64.4 years old (SD = 6.2); 32.5% were Black or African American; and 55% were female. At Week 8, 14.3% (3/21) of the participants in the intervention group were abstinent versus 0% (0/19) in the control group (p > 0.05). At 3-month follow-up, 4.8% (1/21) of the participants in the intervention group were abstinent versus 0% (0/19) in the control group. Among the intervention group participants, up to 52.4% used the provided patches and up to 61.9% used the provided lozenges during the study period. This study demonstrated modest quit rates for LCS patients receiving gain-framed text messages and NRT. The results highlight the need for more effective smoking cessation interventions for this priority population.

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