The Methodological Quality and Effectiveness of Technology-Based Smoking Cessation Interventions for Disadvantaged Groups: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

• Published in: Nicotine & tobacco research 2018-02, Vol.20 (3), p.276-285
• Main Authors: Boland, Veronica C., Stockings, Emily A., Mattick, Richard P., McRobbie, Hayden, Brown, Jamie, Courtney, Ryan J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell Phone - economics; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic - methods; Review; Smokers - psychology; Smoking Cessation - economics; Smoking Cessation - methods; Smoking Cessation - psychology; Software - economics; Text Messaging - economics; Therapy, Computer-Assisted - economics; Therapy, Computer-Assisted - methods; Tobacco Use Cessation Devices - economics; Treatment Outcome; Vulnerable Populations - psychology
• ISSN: 1462-2203; 1469-994X; 1469-994X
• DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntw391

Abstract Aims To assess the methodological quality and effectiveness of technology-based smoking cessation interventions in disadvantaged groups. Method Four databases (EMBASE, Cochrane, Medline, and PsycInfo) were searched for studies conducted from 1980 to May 2016. Randomized controlled trials that compared a behavioral smoking cessation intervention delivered primarily through a technology-based platform (eg, mobile phone) with a no-intervention comparison group among disadvantaged smokers were included. Three reviewers assessed all relevant studies for inclusion, and one reviewer extracted study, participant and intervention-level data, with a subset crosschecked by a second reviewer. Results Thirteen studies targeting disadvantaged smokers (n =4820) were included. Only one study scored highly in terms of methodological rigor on EPOC criteria for judging risk of bias. Of the 13 studies using a technology-based platform, most utilized websites (n = 5) or computer programs (n = 5), and seven additionally offered nicotine replacement therapy. Technology-based interventions increased the odds of smoking cessation for disadvantaged groups at 1 month (odds ratio [OR] 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10, 2.63), 3 months (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.07, 1.59), 6 months (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.03, 1.62), and 18 months post-intervention (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.11, 3.01). Conclusion Few methodologically rigorous studies were identified. Mobile phone text-messaging, computer- and website-delivered quit support showed promise at increasing quit rates among Indigenous, psychiatric and inpatient substance use disorder patients. Further research is needed to address the role technology-based interventions have on overcoming health inequalities to meet the needs of disadvantaged groups. Implications This review provides the first quantitative evidence of the effectiveness of a range of technology-based smoking cessation interventions among disadvantaged smokers, with separate estimates on the basis of intervention type, and cessation outcome measure. Providing cost-effective, easily accessible and real-time smoking cessation treatment is needed, and innovative technology-based platforms will help reach this endpoint. These interventions need to be tested in larger scale randomized controlled trial designs and target broader disadvantaged groups. Data collection beyond 6 months is also needed in order to establish the efficacy of these intervention approaches on long-term cessation ra