There is an important need for validated, low-cost smoking cessation interventions that can reach large populations of smokers. Internet-based cessation programs can reach an increasingly large number of smokers. Approximately one third of all persons are Internet users; an estimated 8 million of them are cigarette smokers. Internet-based smoking cessation programs can be interactive, personalize information based on participant characteristics and interests, provide a high degree of choice and flexibility, and provide social support from both peers and professionals. While initial start-up costs can be high, interactive Internet interventions cost little to maintain, and provide 24-hour/7-day access to smoking cessation assistance. We will develop a comprehensive Internet smoking cessation program with three major components: (a) support for the use of efficacious pharmacological therapies (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy and Zyban), (b) a cognitive-behavioral skills development, and (c) social support (primarily via on-line forums and chat rooms), and evaluate it in a randomized control trial designed to assess the impact of the program. The control condition will be an exercise and nutrition program of proven efficacy (PACE+) designed for Internet use. This program serves as a credible attention-placebo control. Approximately 2000 persons will be enrolled from large worksites that provide intranet links (and high-bandwidth connections) to our website. All assessment will be accomplished via the Internet and much of the process data--use of various intervention elements and transcripts of discussion groups--is recorded and stored automatically. Seven-day point prevalence cessation at three- and six-month follow-ups will serve as the primary outcomes, augmented by other prevalence and sustained quit outcomes. A variety of subject characteristics and process measures will be examined as predictors or mediators. After outcomes are assessed at six months, participants will be given access to the contrasting condition and encouraged to enroll. Secondary analyses will examine the effectiveness of the PACE+ program. The proposed design will provide important practical information about effectiveness of a low-cost Internet intervention to assist smokers in stopping smoking.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA079946-05
Application #
6837666
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-2 (01))
Program Officer
Morgan, Glen D
Project Start
1998-12-10
Project End
2006-11-30
Budget Start
2004-12-03
Budget End
2006-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$470,368
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
053615423
City
Eugene
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97403
Danaher, Brian G; Lichtenstein, Edward; McKay, H Garth et al. (2009) Use of non-assigned smoking cessation programs among participants of a Web-based randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res 11:e26
McKay, H Garth; Danaher, Brian G; Seeley, John R et al. (2008) Comparing two web-based smoking cessation programs: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res 10:e40
Danaher, Brian G; Hart, L Gary; McKay, H Garth et al. (2007) Measuring participant rurality in Web-based interventions. BMC Public Health 7:228
Danaher, Brian G; Jazdzewski, Stephen A; McKay, H Garth et al. (2005) Bandwidth constraints to using video and other rich media in behavior change websites. J Med Internet Res 7:e49
Danaher, Brian G; McKay, H Garth; Seeley, John R (2005) The information architecture of behavior change websites. J Med Internet Res 7:e12
Feil, Edward G; Noell, John; Lichtenstein, Ed et al. (2003) Evaluation of an Internet-based smoking cessation program: lessons learned from a pilot study. Nicotine Tob Res 5:189-94