Tobacco Use Disorder, Nicotine Dependence
Conditions
Keywords
Teleconsultation, Telemedicine, Video Consultation, Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Dependence, Craving, Treatment Adherence
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial conducted at Dokuz Eylül University evaluated whether video teleconsultations are as effective as traditional face-to-face clinic visits for helping people quit smoking * Over a 6-month period, the study found that while overall quit rates were statistically similar between the two groups, patients receiving teleconsultation support experienced significantly fewer cigarette cravings and fewer relapses * Teleconsultation also solved a common problem in smoking cessation: patients missing their follow-up appointments due to travel or time constraints
Detailed description
Detailed Description Background & Purpose of the Study Smoking is a leading cause of preventable diseases and death worldwide * While many smokers want to quit, they often face barriers to attending regular follow-up appointments at clinics, such as transportation issues, travel costs, child care, and lack of time * This study was designed to see if teleconsultation (video calling) could remove these barriers and provide an effective alternative to in-person visits for smoking cessation counseling Who Participated? The study included 65 volunteer adults, aged 18 to 55, who applied to a smoking cessation clinic * Participants were randomly divided into two groups: 32 people in the teleconsultation group and 33 people in the face-to-face (control) group How the Study Worked Both groups received the standard of care recommended by the Ministry of Health . Initial Visit: Every participant had their first visit in person. They underwent a physical exam, had their health history taken, and received a prescription for nicotine replacement therapy (15 mg or 25 mg nicotine patches) . Follow-Up Plan: After setting a "quit date," patients were followed up on day 10, and at months 1, 2, 3, and 6 . The Difference: The intervention group had all their follow-up counseling sessions via video teleconsultation, while the control group was asked to return to the clinic for face-to-face counseling .
Interventions
BEHAVIORALTele-consultation Counseling
Video-based teleconsultation counseling sessions focusing on smoking cessation, craving management, relapse prevention, and treatment adherence.
BEHAVIORALFace-to-Face Counseling
Standard clinic-based face-to-face behavioral counseling sessions following the 5A framework and motivational interviewing.
Sponsors
Dokuz Eylul University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
A 1:1 open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial comparing video-based teleconsultation counseling with face-to-face counseling in a primary care smoking cessation clinic over a 6-month follow-up period.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Applying to Dokuz Eylul University Department of Family Medicine Smoking Cessation Outpatient Clinic * Aged 18-55 years * Owning and being able to use a personal computer or smartphone * Being literate * Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study and providing written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Having communication difficulties or severe cognitive impairments * Having a psychotic disorder * Being pregnant or breastfeeding * Having received smoking cessation treatment within the past 1 year
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7-Day Point Prevalence Smoking Abstinence Rate | 6 months | The proportion of participants who reported self-reported smoking abstinence (7-day point prevalence abstinence) confirmed during follow-up visits/consultations. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarette Craving Score | Baseline, Day 10, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and Month 6 | Total score, strength subscale, and frequency subscale scores measured using the Turkish version of the Craving Experience Questionnaire (CEQ). Total scores range from 0 to 200, with higher scores indicating higher intensity and frequency of craving. |
| Medication Adherence | Day 10, Month 1, Month 2, and Month 3 | Assessment of medication adherence using the Turkish Modified Morisky Medication Adherence Scale |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed