iCANQUIT: Smoking Cessation App Evaluation

 An Proof-Based mostly App to Prescribe to Sufferers for Tobacco Cessation

Tobacco use stays the #1 preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the US and worldwide. General, cigarette smoking amongst U.S. adults (aged ≥18 years) declined from 20.9 % in 2005 to 13.7% in 2018. Nonetheless, almost 34 million American adults smoked cigarettes in 2018, in keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC). 

Smoking stays the leading cause of most cancers, coronary heart illness, stroke, lung ailments, diabetes, and persistent obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD). Nationwide efforts have included tobacco taxes and smoking bans which have each proven effective. Extra just lately, the prescribing of apps for cessation has been utilized and proven to be efficient. 

We beforehand reviewed and praised the excellent QuitMedKit from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the additionally glorious SmokerStop app. QuitMedKit contains virtually every thing a main care supplier would wish for tobacco cessation, whereas SmokerStop makes use of private motivation to assist sufferers stop. Additionally, the Nationwide Most cancers Institute (NCI) has its personal tobacco cessation app, QuitGuide, that helps sufferers stop by avoiding their triggers. However is avoidance of set off the easiest way to assist sufferers stop? 

In accordance with Jonathan Bricker,PhD, it isn’t. He has pioneered using acceptance and dedication remedy (ACT) to assist sufferers stop smoking. He has carried out quite a few trials on the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center using ACT in face-to-face, phone, and internet-based therapies with nice success. A number of years in the past (we previewed SmartQuit again in 2016), he partnered with 2Morrow Inc in Kirkland, WA, to design an app that brings ACT for tobacco cessation to the smartphone. In full disclosure, I participated in a pilot study of SmartQuit because the Principal Investigator. Our results were promising, however not conclusive. Now Bricker and the Fred Hutch workforce have published a big RCT evaluating the iCANQUIT app to the NCI app–ACT (embracing your triggers) vs. NCI app (keep away from your triggers). The study enrolled over 2500 members and demonstrated a major enchancment in cessation with iCANQUIT over the NCI app. iCANQUIT customers had 1.49 times higher odds (OR 1.49) of quitting (self-reported 30-day abstinence). Moreover, this research adopted members out to 12 months. 

iCANQUIT makes use of a game-like format to information customers to finish a customized stop plan, full 14 classes, and settle for (reasonably than keep away from) triggers by way of workout routines, reminders, and progress monitoring. The app can be utilized with or with out NRT and might ship customers each day messages/reminders and stay teaching. 2MorrowInc has a complete platform based mostly on ACT to assist not solely with tobacco cessation, however vaping, weight reduction, and persistent ache.

Proof-based medication

Developed by Dr. Jonathan Bricker on the Fred Hutch Most cancers Analysis Heart at the side of 2Morrow Inc and quite a few NCI grants, iCANQUIT/SmarQuit is an evidence-based tobacco cessation app based mostly on Dr. Bricker’s work utilizing ACT for tobacco cessation. The app has a number of printed research demonstrating efficacy on numerous ranges, and simply printed the largest study yet demonstrating efficacy versus. the NCI tobacco cessation app. 

Who would profit from this app?

Sufferers/members of the family, medical college students, main care physicians, mid-levels, hospital medication physicians, nurses, pharmacists or any supplier who counsels sufferers on tobacco cessation.

Likes

• Easy interface for making a personalized stop plan
• ACT-based, game-like platform for classes, workout routines, instruments, on-line/stay teaching
• Accessible for Android

Dislikes

• Probably nonetheless want medical help with NRT or different for achievement
• At present not broadly out there
• Requires smartphone, not out there for some sufferers

General

iCANQUIT by Dr. Jonathan Bricker on the Fred Hutch Most cancers Heart/2Morrow Inc has turn into the usual bearer for tobacco cessation apps. Utilizing its novel acceptance and dedication remedy (ACT) confirmed in F2F and cellphone based mostly tobacco cessation, the app has efficiently tailored ACT to the smartphone utilizing a game-like platform. The app outperforms the NCI app and together with NRT can enhance tobacco cessation. Hold looking out for this app because it turns into extra broadly out there. Extremely really helpful. 

General Rating

o 5.0 stars

Person Interface

o 4.5 stars

Straightforward-to-use environment friendly interface to set a personalized stop plan and observe progress.

Multimedia Utilization

o 5.0 stars

App incorporates progressive classes (over 14), suggestions/instruments/workout routines, each day messaging/reminders, stay teaching.

Value

o N/A

App out there by way of scientific trials, some employers, some state smoking cessation packages.

Actual-World Applicability

o 5.0 stars

iCANQUIT has taken the present SmartQuit app and improved upon it. Now with the latest publication of the iCANQUIT trial in JAMA Inner Medication, this app is prepared for prime time. iCANQUIT now has the strong proof base of any tobacco cessation app in the marketplace. Ideally, this app will turn into out there to sufferers exterior of scientific trials/employers. Regardless, we once more have robust proof of medical apps demonstrating enchancment in affected person outcomes. 

System Used For Evaluation

o iPhone 11 Professional working iOS 14.01

Accessible for obtain for iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are these of the creator(s) and don’t replicate the official coverage of the Division of the Military, the Division of Protection, or the U.S. Authorities.