Text messaging has become a widely used method of communication, and has even developed its own language with all the abbreviations and autocorrect errors. Texting while driving (and even walking) has its own inherent dangers, but could texting actually be good for your health? Well, quitting smoking sure is and text messages can help you do just that!
A meta-analysis published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in October 2009 found that a cell phone texting program increased the number of people who remained abstinent for one month. When the cell phone texting program was combined with an internet and email program, the study found an increased number of people who remained abstinent for twelve months.
The meta-analysis reviewed four trials. Two trials, one performed in New Zealand and the other in the United Kingdom, evaluated a cell phone only program for 1,905 cell phone owners who desired to quit smoking. The participants received text messages with guidance, inspiration, and diversion. Their input was required to answer quiz questions and polls. They could also reach out for extra help through text messaging another participant or asking for additional text messages from the program.
The next two trials, both performed in Norway, evaluated a cell phone, internet, and email program for 696 smokers. The participants received emails with links to a website and text messages with instruction on how to quit, inspirational messages, and information on nicotine replacement drugs. In addition, they received calls from the program or were able to call the program themselves to access the same information. They could also reach out for extra help through calling a helpline.
The txt2stop trial, published in The Lancet in June 2011 found that a cell phone texting program (the txt2stop program) increased the number of people who remained abstinent for six months. The trial, performed in the United Kingdom, evaluated 5,800 smokers who wanted to quit. The participants received text messages with guidance, inspiration, and advice. They were asked to participate by throwing away their cigarettes and not going to places that they usually smoked. They could also reach out for extra help through text messaging another participant, calling a helpline, and using nicotine replacement drugs. One unique feature of the program was participants could text certain keywords to the program, such as “crave” or “lapse,” and receive specific supportive messages in return.
This program showed that it is possible to double the abstinence rate at six months by text messaging. However, these trials do not show that the text messaging programs are superior to other methods of quitting. It is recommended that these programs be used in combination with other ways to quit.
Sources:
Free C, Knight R, Robertson S, et al. “Smoking cessation support delivered via mobile phone text messaging (txt2stop): a single-blind, randomised trial.” The Lancet 378.9785 (2 July 2011): 49-55. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60701-0.
Whittaker R, Borland R, Bullen C, Lin RB, McRobbie H, Rodgers A. “Mobile phone-based interventions for smoking cessation.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD006611. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006611.pub2.
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