Lorien C. Abroms*, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States Meenakshi Ahuja, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States Richard A. Windsor, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States Track: Research Presentation Topic: Mobile & Tablet Health Applications Presentation Type: Poster presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Last modified: 2012-09-12

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Background: Text messaging programs on mobile phones have shown some promise in helping people quit smoking. Text2Quit is an automated, personalized and interactive mobile health program that sends text messages and emails timed around a participant’s quit date over the course of 3 months. The text messages include pre- and post-quit educational messages, peer ex-smoker messages, medication reminders and relapse messages, as well as multiple opportunities for interaction.

Objective: The Be Free Study aimed to evaluate Text2Quit in the context of a randomized trial.

Methods:
Adult smokers were recruited on the Internet and enrolled in the Be Free Study. Participants (n=231) were randomized to receive Text2Quit or the control condition (Smokefree.gov/Clearing the Air). Participants were surveyed at baseline and at 1 and 3 months post-enrollment.

Results: Results from the 1 month follow-up indicate improved quitting outcomes in the Text2Quit condition compared with the control condition. Quitting outcomes include self-reported past 7-day smoking, consecutive days quit, and average number of cigarettes smoked. Results will also be presented for the 3 month follow-up which are currently under investigation.

Conclusion: The results provide some support for the Text2Quit program. Future studies are recommended that identify the value of the interactive and personalized features that characterize this program.