Health Rewards for Smoking Cessation

This trial aims to help people quit smoking by ensuring they use their medication and attend counseling sessions. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receives the usual medication and counseling referrals, while the other receives additional support through rewards for adhering to their treatment plan, known as Contingency Management (CM). The trial seeks Kansas residents who have smoked recently and can receive text messages on a mobile phone. The study aims to demonstrate that offering rewards can increase success in quitting smoking. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could improve smoking cessation strategies.

Research has shown that contingency management (CM) is generally safe and well-received for helping people quit smoking. This approach uses rewards to encourage positive actions, such as attending counseling sessions or taking medication, which can support smoking cessation. Importantly, studies have not identified major safety issues with CM. Most people respond well to the treatment, and side effects are uncommon. Overall, CM appears to be a safe choice for those wanting to stop smoking, according to current research.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about the Health Rewards for Smoking Cessation trial because it explores a unique approach called Contingency Management (CM). Unlike traditional methods like medications or counseling alone, this trial uses a mobile-based platform to encourage people to stick with their counseling sessions and take their medications as prescribed. By offering rewards for adherence, the treatment aims to boost motivation and success rates. This innovative method could offer a more engaging and supportive way to help people quit smoking.

Research has shown that contingency management (CM), which involves rewarding individuals for adhering to their treatment plan, can effectively help people quit smoking. In this trial, participants in the CounsCM+MedCM arm will receive mobile contingency management for attending counseling and taking medication. Studies have found that combining CM with standard treatments increases success rates. For instance, one study found that 77.78% of participants completed their treatment with CM, resulting in higher quit rates. Another study noted that CM ranks among the most cost-effective methods for smoking cessation. These findings suggest that using rewards to encourage adherence to medication and counseling can significantly improve quitting success.⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰