OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of WeChat Quit Coach.
METHODS: We enrolled a total of 60 Chinese immigrant smokers in 2022 in New York City for a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) and a single-arm pilot test. The first 40 participants were randomized to either the intervention arm (WeChat Quit Coach) or the control arm (self-help print material) using 1:1 block randomization stratified by sex. WeChat Quit Coach lasted 6 weeks, featuring small peer groups moderated by a coach, daily text messages with text questions, and chat-based instant messaging support from the coach in response to peer questions. The next 20 participants were enrolled in the single-arm pilot test to further assess intervention feasibility and acceptability. All 60 participants were offered a 4-week supply of complimentary nicotine replacement therapy. Surveys were administered at baseline and 6 weeks, with participants in the pilot RCT completing an additional survey at 6 months and biochemical verification of abstinence at both follow-ups.
RESULTS: Of 74 individuals screened, 68 (92%) were eligible and 60 (88%) were enrolled. The majority of participants, with a mean age of 42.5 (SD 13.8) years, were male (49/60, 82%) and not ready to quit, with 70% (42/60) in the precontemplation or contemplation stage at the time of enrollment. The pilot RCT had follow-up rates of 98% (39/40) at 6 weeks and 93% (37/40) at 6 months, while the single-arm test achieved 100% follow-up at 6 weeks. On average, participants responded to daily text questions for 25.1 days over the 42-day intervention period and 23% (9/40) used the chat-based instant messaging support. Most participants were satisfied with WeChat Quit Coach (36/39, 92%) and would recommend it to others (32/39, 82%). At 6 months, self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence rates were 25% (5/20) in the intervention arm and 15% (3/20) in the control arm, with biochemically verified abstinence rates of 25% (5/20) and 5% (1/20), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: WeChat Quit Coach was feasible and well-received by Chinese immigrants who smoke and produced promising effects on abstinence. Large trials are warranted to assess its efficacy in promoting abstinence in this underserved population.
BACKGROUND: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05130788; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05130788.
目的:本研究旨在评估可行性,可接受性,微信退出教练的初步效果。
方法:我们于2022年在纽约市共招募了60名中国移民吸烟者,进行了一项先导随机对照试验(RCT)和单臂先导试验。前40名参与者被随机分配到干预组(微信退出教练)或对照组(自助打印材料),使用按性别分层的1:1分组随机分组。微信退出教练持续了6周,由教练主持的小型同伴团体,每日短信与文本问题,以及教练在回答同伴问题时基于聊天的即时消息支持。接下来的20名参与者参加了单臂试点测试,以进一步评估干预的可行性和可接受性。所有60名参与者都接受了为期4周的免费尼古丁替代疗法。在基线和6周进行调查,试验RCT的参与者在6个月时完成一项额外的调查,并在两次随访中对禁欲进行生化验证。
结果:在接受筛查的74个人中,68人(92%)符合资格,60人(88%)入组。大多数参与者,平均年龄为42.5(SD13.8)岁,是男性(49/60,82%),还没有准备好戒烟,70%(42/60)在登记时处于考虑前或考虑阶段。试验RCT在6周时的随访率为98%(39/40),在6个月时为93%(37/40),而单臂测试在6周时实现了100%的随访。平均而言,参与者在42天的干预期内回答了25.1天的每日文本问题,23%(9/40)的参与者使用了基于聊天的即时消息支持.大多数参与者对微信退出教练感到满意(36/39,92%),并会向其他人推荐(32/39,82%)。6个月时,自我报告的7天点患病率在干预组中为25%(5/20),在控制组中为15%(3/20),生化验证的禁欲率为25%(5/20)和5%(1/20),分别。
结论:微信戒烟教练是可行的,受到吸烟的中国移民的欢迎,并对禁欲产生了有希望的效果。有必要进行大型试验,以评估其在这一服务不足的人群中促进禁欲的功效。
背景:ClinicalTrials.govNCT05130788;https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05130788。