Remote Smoking Research Study

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are evaluating the effectiveness of an app to quit smoking.

Fast Facts

Ages 18+

Currently smoke cigarettes less than daily but at least weekly

Compensation Provided

Conducted Remotely

Study Background

Researchers at Mass General Hospital developed an app for people who smoke less than daily and are now conducting a study to test if it is effective.

This study involves 1,600 people and is comparing two smartphone apps to see which app works better. It’s what we call a single-blind, remote, parallel, randomized clinical trial. That means the researchers know who’s using which app, but the participants don’t. We’re doing everything online because we want people from all over the country to join without having to meet in person. 

Everyone in the study will choose a day to stop smoking, and they’ll use one of the apps for seven weeks: one week before they quit and six weeks after. We’ll ask them to complete 6 online surveys over the course of a year: an initial survey, and then surveys at two weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, and one year after they quit smoking.

Study Background

Researchers at Mass General Hospital developed an app for people who smoke less than daily and are now conducting a study to test if it is effective.

This study involves 1,600 people and is comparing two smartphone apps to see which app works better. It’s what we call a single-blind, remote, parallel, randomized clinical trial. That means the researchers know who’s using which app, but the participants don’t. We’re doing everything online because we want people from all over the country to join without having to meet in person. 

Everyone in the study will choose a day to stop smoking, and they’ll use one of the apps for seven weeks: one week before they quit and six weeks after. We’ll ask them to complete 6 online surveys over the course of a year: an initial survey, and then surveys at two weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, and one year after they quit smoking.

Additional Information

The purpose of this research study is to test an app for people who smoke less than daily.

You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Ages 18+
  • Currently smoke cigarettes less than daily but at least weekly
  • Intend to quit smoking cigarettes
  • Have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime
  • Own a smartphone (Andriod or iOS only)
  • Reside in the U.S.

Once enrolled, this study involves:

  1. Setting a Quit Date: Everyone in the study will choose a specific day to stop smoking.

  2. App Usage Instructions: Participants will be told to use the assigned app for a total of seven weeks. This includes one week before their quit date and six weeks after.

  3. Online Surveys: Surveys will be conducted online at different times:

    • At the start of the study (enrollment).
    • Follow-up surveys will be done at:
      • 2 weeks after the quit date.
      • 6 weeks after the quit date.
      • 3 months after the quit date.
      • 6 months after the quit date.
      • 12 months after the quit date.
 

Participants will be compensated up to $200 for their participation in this study.

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.