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Oulu, Finland — In a groundbreaking advancement for public health, a new mobile application developed by researchers at the University of Oulu has shown remarkable efficacy in aiding long-term smokers to quit. A study conducted at Oulu University Hospital revealed that using the application tripled the success rate of smoking cessation compared to traditional written materials.
The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, involved 201 smokers participating in lung cancer screening as part of Finland’s inaugural pilot study on lung cancer CT screening, launched in Oulu in November 2022. Lung cancer CT screening has proven to reduce both lung cancer and overall mortality among smokers and provides a critical opportunity for smoking cessation interventions.
Participants in the study had a heavy smoking history, defined as smoking 15 or more cigarettes per day for at least 25 years or 10 or more cigarettes per day for at least 30 years. They were randomized into two groups: one group used the mobile application, while the control group received written cessation materials in accordance with the national Current Care Guidelines.
Results after a three-month follow-up showed that 20% of the app users had successfully quit smoking, compared to just 7% in the group that received written materials. These results were maintained at the six-month follow-up mark.
The findings suggest that the active use of the mobile application significantly enhances the chances of quitting smoking. Even among those who did not completely quit, a higher proportion of app users had significantly reduced their smoking compared to the control group.
The mobile application is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy and is designed to heighten awareness of health-damaging behaviors while supporting the individual’s active role in regulating their behavior. Key features of the app include weekly symptom surveys, mindfulness exercises, and a virtual support person. Currently, the application is available exclusively for research purposes.
This study is reportedly the world’s first randomized clinical trial demonstrating the efficacy of a mobile application for smoking cessation in conjunction with lung cancer CT screening. Researchers believe the app can be seamlessly integrated into the lung cancer screening process.
Looking ahead, researchers plan to investigate the app’s effectiveness outside the context of lung cancer screening and in combination with other smoking cessation methods.
For more information, see the study by Sanna Iivanainen et al., “Smartphone application versus written material for smoking reduction and cessation in individuals undergoing low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer: a phase II open-label randomized controlled trial,” published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe (2024).
