AI-powered Chatbot vs. Human Counselors in Smoking Cessation

Beijing Normal University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Mobile Health; Smoking Cessation

Treatments: Behavioral: 5A's/5R's advice; Other: Self-help smoking cessation booklet; Behavioral: Counselor individual support; Other: Brief leaflet on health warning and smoking cessation; Behavioral: AI-powered chatbot support

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06570070

AI-powered cessation support

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to explore the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of AI-powered chatbot support in community smokers.

Full description

Smoking cessation remains one of the most significant public health challenges worldwide, with tobacco use being a leading cause of preventable death and disease. Despite extensive efforts, the success rates of smoking cessation programs remain low, necessitating innovative approaches to support individuals in their journey to quit smoking. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has opened new possibilities in healthcare, including the development of AI-powered chatbots that assist individuals in behavior change, such as quitting smoking.

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effectiveness of AI-powered chatbot that simulates human counselors, compared to traditional human counseling in promoting smoking cessation among community smokers. The AI-powered chatbot, equipped with personalized interactions and real-time support, offers scalable and cost-effective assistance, potentially making it an accessible alternative to human counseling. However, human counselors provide empathy, tailored advice, and a nuanced understanding of human behavior that AI may not fully replicate. This study will explore which approach is more effective in helping individuals achieve long-term smoking cessation.

Enrollment: 300 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. aged 18 and above, reside in Zhuhai for the next 6 months;
2. smoke at least 1 cigarette or use e-cigarettes daily;
3. Having a smartphone and a WeChat account, being able to use WeChat skillfully.

Exclusion criteria

1. Smokers who have communication barrier (either physically or cognitively);
2. Smokers who are currently participating in other SC programmes or services

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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300 participants in 3 patient groups

AI support group

Experimental group

Description:

AI-powered chatbot support+ 5A's/5R's advice + health warning leaflet+ Self-help booklet

Treatment:

Behavioral: AI-powered chatbot support

Other: Brief leaflet on health warning and smoking cessation

Other: Self-help smoking cessation booklet

Behavioral: 5A's/5R's advice

Counselor support group

Experimental group

Description:

Counselor individual support+ 5A's/5R's advice + health warning leaflet+ Self-help booklet

Treatment:

Other: Brief leaflet on health warning and smoking cessation

Behavioral: Counselor individual support

Other: Self-help smoking cessation booklet

Behavioral: 5A's/5R's advice

Control group

Active Comparator group

Description:

5A's/5R's advice + health warning leaflet+ Self-help booklet

Treatment:

Other: Brief leaflet on health warning and smoking cessation

Other: Self-help smoking cessation booklet

Behavioral: 5A's/5R's advice