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Effectiveness of a Digital Peer-Supported Application Intervention in Promoting Smoking Cessations: Non-randomized Controlled Trial
Shota Yoshihara;
Kayoko Takahashi;
Chiaki Uemura;
Shin Murakami;
Daichi Harada;
Hiroshi Yamato
ABSTRACT
Background:
Smoking cessation has become a global priority, with peer support interventions shown to improve abstinence rates. However, the effectiveness of digital peer-supported app for smoking cessation has not been extensively studied.
Objective:
This study aimed to assess whether adding a digital peer-supported app to standard nicotine gums improves 12-week smoking abstinence rates among nicotine-dependent patients in working settings.
Methods:
A prospective study was conducted with adult smokers in Japan. Participants were divided into either an intervention group (digital peer-supported app + nicotine gums) or a control group (nicotine gums only). The digital peer-supported app creates a group chat for up to five people aimed at smoking cessation, where participants can anonymously post counts, photos, and comments daily. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the smoking cessation abstinence rates between the two groups.
Results:
The intervention group exhibited a higher smoking abstinence rate at 12 weeks compared to the control group (59.2% vs. 38.7%). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 2.41 (2.00–2.90), indicating a significant impact of digital peer support. Both higher duration of digital peer-supported app usage and increased posting frequency were positively associated with cessation success (p for trend < 0.01).
Conclusions:
The digital peer-supported app enhanced smoking cessation outcomes when it was combined with nicotine gums.