Smartphone health apps for tobacco Cessation: A systematic review

• Published in: Addictive behaviors 2021-01, Vol.112, p.106616-106616, Article 106616
• Main Authors: Chu, Kar-Hai, Matheny, Sara J., Escobar-Viera, César G., Wessel, Charles, Notier, Anna E., Davis, Esa M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Apps; Cessation; Humans; Mobile Applications; Self Report; Smartphone; Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Systematic literature review; Tobacco; Tobacco Use Cessation
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106616

•Identified 18 studies using apps for evidence-based tobacco cessation intervention.•Most interventions using tobacco cessation apps were pilot/feasibility studies.•Studies had varied methodology, study design, inclusion criteria.•More effort is needed to design studies that can be generalizable as well as retain participants.•Consistent app interventions and larger randomized controlled trials needed. Given the low retention and lack of persistent support by traditional tobacco cessation programs, evidence-based smartphone app-supported interventions can be an important tobacco control component. The objective of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate the types of studies that use smartphone apps for interventions in tobacco cessation. We conducted a systematic review of PubMed (1946–2019), EMBASE (1974–2019), and PsycINFO (1806–2019) databases with keywords related to smartphone-supported tobacco cessation. Included articles were required to meet 3 baseline screening criteria: 1) be written in English, 2) include an abstract, and 3) be a full, peer-reviewed manuscript. The criteria for the second level of review were: 1) primary outcome of tobacco cessation, 2) intervention study, and 3) smartphone app as primary focus of study. Of 1973 eligible manuscripts, 18 met inclusion criteria. Most studies (n = 17) recruited adult participants (18 + years); one included teens (16 + years). Tobacco cessation was usually self-reported (n = 11), compared to biochemical verification (n = 3) or both (n = 4). There were 11 randomized controlled trials, 4 of which reported statistically significant results, and 7 single-arm trials that reported a mean abstinence rate of 33.9%. The majority of studies that use tobacco cessation apps as an intervention delivery modality are mostly at the pilot/feasibility stage. The growing field has resulted in studies that varied in methodologies, study design, and inclusion criteria. More consistency in intervention components and larger randomized controlled trials are needed for tobacco cessation smartphone apps.