Trial Outcomes & Findings for Effectiveness of WhatsApp Online Group Discussion for Smoking Relapse Prevention (NCT NCT03760224)

NCT ID: NCT03760224

Last Updated: 2022-07-18

Results Overview

Exhaled carbon monoxide below 4ppm using a Smokerlyzer, and a saliva cotinine 10ng/ml or below using the iScreen OFD Cotinine Saliva Test Kit

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

928 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

12 month

Results posted on

2022-07-18

Participant Flow

Based on our pilot study, we calculated our sample size to be 1008 participants. As we predicted that there would be participants who fail to be contacted or fail to quit for 3 days, we recruited more than the target number of participants before the start of the intervention. Yet, due to the COVID-19, we recruited 928 participants and enrolled in the study.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Intervention
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Overall Study
STARTED
469
459
Overall Study
COMPLETED
469
459
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Effectiveness of WhatsApp Online Group Discussion for Smoking Relapse Prevention

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Total
n=928 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
443 Participants
n=5 Participants
434 Participants
n=7 Participants
877 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
26 Participants
n=5 Participants
25 Participants
n=7 Participants
51 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Continuous
43.00 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.70 • n=5 Participants
42.97 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.72 • n=7 Participants
42.99 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.60 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
85 Participants
n=5 Participants
103 Participants
n=7 Participants
188 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
384 Participants
n=5 Participants
356 Participants
n=7 Participants
740 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
469 Participants
n=5 Participants
459 Participants
n=7 Participants
928 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Hong Kong
469 participants
n=5 Participants
459 participants
n=7 Participants
928 participants
n=5 Participants
Fagerstrom Test For Nicotine Dependence
5.1 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.5 • n=5 Participants
5.1 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.6 • n=7 Participants
5.1 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.5 • n=5 Participants
Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale
18.1 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.8 • n=5 Participants
18.0 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.0 • n=7 Participants
18.1 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.9 • n=5 Participants
Importance of quitting
8.4 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.8 • n=5 Participants
8.4 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.6 • n=7 Participants
8.4 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.7 • n=5 Participants
Difficulty of quitting
7.4 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.2 • n=5 Participants
7.4 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.1 • n=7 Participants
7.4 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.2 • n=5 Participants
Confidence of quitting
6.4 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.2 • n=5 Participants
6.6 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.2 • n=7 Participants
6.5 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.2 • n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 month

Exhaled carbon monoxide below 4ppm using a Smokerlyzer, and a saliva cotinine 10ng/ml or below using the iScreen OFD Cotinine Saliva Test Kit

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Number of Participants Who Passed the Biochemical Validated Abstinence at 12-month Follow-up
56 Participants
54 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 month

Exhaled carbon monoxide below 4ppm using a Smokerlyzer, and a saliva cotinine 10ng/ml or below using the iScreen OFD Cotinine Saliva Test Kit

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Number of Participants Who Passed the Biochemical Validated Abstinence at 6-month Follow-up
69 Participants
75 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 month

Self-reported abstinence in the past 7 days at 3-month follow-up

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Number of Participants Who Self-reported 7-day Abstinence at 3-month Follow-up
256 Participants
257 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 month

Self-reported abstinence in the past 7 days at 6-month follow-up

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Number of Participants Self-reported 7-day Abstinence at 6-month Follow-up
229 Participants
232 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 month

Self-reported abstinence in the past 7 days at 12-month follow-up

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Number of Participants Self-reported 7-day Abstinence at 12-month Follow-up
200 Participants
216 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 month

Consuming 5 cigarettes or more in 3 consecutive days in the past 3 months

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Number of Participants Who Reported Smoking Relapse at 3-month Follow-up
213 Participants
202 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 month

Consuming 5 cigarettes or more in 3 consecutive days in the past 6 months

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Number of Participants Who Reported Smoking Relapse at 6-month Follow-up
240 Participants
227 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 month

Consuming 5 cigarettes or more in 3 consecutive days in the past 12 months

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Number of Participants Who Reported Smoking Relapse at 12-month Follow-up
269 Participants
243 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 month

Self-reported continuous abstinence

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Number of Participants Who Reported Self-reported Continuous Abstinence
256 Participants
257 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 month

Self-reported continuous abstinence

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Number of Participants Who Self-reported Continuous Abstinence
185 Participants
187 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 month

Self-reported continuous abstinence

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Number of Participants Who Self-reported Continuous Abstinence
130 Participants
141 Participants

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 3 month

Frequency (in the past week) of smoking urge will be evaluated according to their frequency of their smoking urges on a scale of 0 (none at all) to 4 (ever hour or more).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Frequency of Smoking Urge
2.09 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.21
2.13 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.19

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 3 month

Intensity (in the past day) of smoking urge will be evaluated according to their intensity of their smoking urges on a scale of 1 (never have smoking urges) to 5 (smoking urges every hour or more).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Intensity of Smoking Urge
1.70 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.95
1.79 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.02

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 6 month

Frequency (in the past week) of smoking urge will be evaluated according to their frequency of their smoking urges on a scale of 0 (none at all) to 4 (ever hour or more).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Frequency of Smoking Urge
1.72 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.12
1.73 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.05

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 6 month

Intensity (in the past day) of smoking urge will be evaluated according to their intensity of their smoking urges on a scale of 1 (never have smoking urges) to 5 (smoking urges every hour or more).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Intensity of Smoking Urge
1.46 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.83
1.46 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.78

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 12 month

Frequency (in the past week) of smoking urge will be evaluated according to their frequency of their smoking urges on a scale of 0 (none at all) to 4 (ever hour or more).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Frequency of Smoking Urge
2.04 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.37
2.07 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.46

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 12 month

Intensity (in the past day) of smoking urge will be evaluated according to their intensity of their smoking urges on a scale of 1 (never have smoking urges) to 5 (smoking urges every hour or more).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Intensity of Smoking Urge
1.37 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.82
1.39 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.83

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 3 month

EuroQol 5-dimension 5 level (EQ-5D-5L) health utility scores on a 1 (No problem) -5 (unable or extreme pain/ anxious) scales which assess participants mobility, self care, usual activities, pain/ discomfort and their anxiety/ depression. After obtaining the data, results were re-calculated and transferred based on Hong Kong population norm. After calculation, the total score ranged from -0.864 to 1. Higher score indicates better health status. Calculations of this scale were based on Hong Kong population provided by Wong EL and colleagues (Wong EL, Ramos-Goni JM, Cheung AW, Wong AY, Rivero-Arias O. Assessing the use of a feedback module to model EQ-5D-5L health states values in Hong Kong. The Patient-Patient-Centered Outcomes Research. 2018 Apr;11(2):235-47.).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L)
0.96 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.13
0.97 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.08

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 6 month

EuroQol 5-dimension 5 level (EQ-5D-5L) health utility scores on a 1 (No problem) -5 (unable or extreme pain/ anxious) scales which assess participants mobility, self care, usual activities, pain/ discomfort and their anxiety/ depression. After obtaining the data, results were re-calculated and transferred based on Hong Kong population norm. After calculation, the total score ranged from -0.864 to 1. Higher score indicates better health status. Calculations of this scale were based on Hong Kong population provided by Wong EL and colleagues (Wong EL, Ramos-Goni JM, Cheung AW, Wong AY, Rivero-Arias O. Assessing the use of a feedback module to model EQ-5D-5L health states values in Hong Kong. The Patient-Patient-Centered Outcomes Research. 2018 Apr;11(2):235-47.).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L)
0.96 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.11
0.95 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.11

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 12 month

EuroQol 5-dimension 5 level (EQ-5D-5L) health utility scores on a 1 (No problem) -5 (unable or extreme pain/ anxious) scales which assess participants mobility, self care, usual activities, pain/ discomfort and their anxiety/ depression. After obtaining the data, results were re-calculated and transferred based on Hong Kong population norm. After calculation, the total score ranged from -0.864 to 1. Higher score indicates better health status. Calculations of this scale were based on Hong Kong population provided by Wong EL and colleagues (Wong EL, Ramos-Goni JM, Cheung AW, Wong AY, Rivero-Arias O. Assessing the use of a feedback module to model EQ-5D-5L health states values in Hong Kong. The Patient-Patient-Centered Outcomes Research. 2018 Apr;11(2):235-47.).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L)
0.97 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.09
0.97 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.10

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 6 month

Quality of Life Inventory (QoLI) , 7 items with 3-point rating scale for importance (1 not important, 3 very important), and 3-point rating scale for satisfaction (1 not satisfied, 3 very satisfied) in terms of health, economy, work, hobbies, relationship with partner, friendship and relationship with family.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Change in Quality of Life Inventory
2.45 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.25
2.31 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.36

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 12 month

Quality of Life Inventory (QoLI) , 7 items with 3-point rating scale for importance (1 not important, 3 very important), and 3-point rating scale for satisfaction (1 not satisfied, 3 very satisfied) in terms of health, economy, work, hobbies, relationship with partner, friendship and relationship with family.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Change in Quality of Life Inventory
2.50 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.30
2.46 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.35

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 3 month

Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) using Likert-type scale for the severity ratings, ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (severe) in terms of their desire and craving to smoke, insomnia, awakening at night, difficulty in concentration, anxious,depressed, restless and irritable. As the 9 items were rated from 0-4, therefore, the total score ranged from 0-36. A higher score indicates participants had more withdrawal symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Nicotine Withdrawals
11.85 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.88
12.37 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.96

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 6 month

Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) using Likert-type scale for the severity ratings, ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (severe) in terms of their desire and craving to smoke, insomnia, awakening at night, difficulty in concentration, anxious,depressed, restless and irritable. As the 9 items were rated from 0-4, therefore, the total score ranged from 0-36. A higher score indicates participants had more withdrawal symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Nicotine Withdrawals
11.30 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.27
11.71 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.14

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 12 month

Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) using Likert-type scale for the severity ratings, ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (severe) in terms of their desire and craving to smoke, insomnia, awakening at night, difficulty in concentration, anxious,depressed, restless and irritable. As the 9 items were rated from 0-4, therefore, the total score ranged from 0-36. A higher score indicates participants had more withdrawal symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=469 Participants
WhatsApp group will receive at least 3 messages each week and allow real-time group discussion for the intervention period (8 weeks). WhatsApp group: WhatsApp group will allow real-time group discussion for 8 weeks
Control
n=459 Participants
The control group will receive 3 mobile phone text messages each week in the 8 weeks after recruitment. This will be a one way message and no real-time discussion will be available. SMS group: SMS group for 8 weeks
Nicotine Withdrawals
10.90 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.72
11.46 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.24

Adverse Events

Intervention

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Control

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Dr. Derek Cheung

University of Hong Kong

Phone: 39176652

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place