Evaluation of a Workplace Smoking Cessation Program in Hong Kong (Phase VI)

The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Smokers; Exercise; Workplace

Treatments: Behavioral: mobile phone-based simple physical exercise reminder to help quit smoking; Behavioral: regular text-based intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05758272

SCPW Phase 6

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to test, by a 2-arm RCT, the effectiveness of an intervention that includes mobile phone-supported simple physical exercise for smoking cessation in workplaces in Hong Kong.

Enrollment: 646 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 85 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above
2. Smoke at least 1 cigarette per day or use other tobacco products (EC, HTP and others) daily
3. Able to communicate in Cantonese/Mandarin and read Chinese
4. Able to use instant messaging tools (e.g. WhatsApp) for communication
5. Stay in Hong Kong during the intervention and follow-up periods (12 months)

Exclusion criteria

1. Smokers who are psychologically or physically unable to communicate
2. Currently joining other smoking cessation program(s)
3. Smokers who cannot tolerate the proposed exercise program
4. Smokers who have severe mental illnesses

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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646 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

mobile phone-based simple physical exercise intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Regular messages supporting participants in practicing simple physical exercises and assist in managing cravings will be sent to participants via IM apps and scheduled in a tapering manner for 3 months (twice per week in the first month to once per week in the third month). Images and videos explaining and demonstrating the simple physical exercises will be sent to the participants via IM apps, which serves as a reminder and supporting materials for participants. The benefits of exercise in SC will be explained. The investigators will also encourage the practice of moderate/ vigorous exercises to further improve the physical activity and well-being of the participants. Various delivery formats of messages will be considered to attract participants' interest such as text, emojis, voice, image, animation, and video. The simple exercises consist of a) Zero-time exercises (ZTEx), b) handgrip exercises and c) resistance exercises.

Treatment:

Behavioral: mobile phone-based simple physical exercise reminder to help quit smoking

regular text-based intervention

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The control group will receive 6 regular messages via IM at twice per month within 3 months. These messages cover simple cessation advice and reminders for telephone follow-ups.

Treatment:

Behavioral: regular text-based intervention