An Innovation to Increase Smoking Quit Rate

An Innovation involving Self-Surveillance and Serious Gaming to Increase Smoking Quit rate: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Abstract Introduction and study aims Smoking is a health hazard associated with cancer, vascular and lung diseases. Current methods to manage smoking cessation have limited success. A recent systematic review suggests increase in smoking cessation potential via serious gaming to attain desirable healthcare outcomes. Outcomes are limited in these studies to demonstrate, quantify, and understand these interventions. The investigators have demonstrated feasibility of a portable device (\"STEADES-1\") which allows smokers to measure their exhaled-breath carbon monoxide (eCO) levels, related to their cigarette-smoking intensities. They can relay the eCO measurements via smart-phone applications (app) to their virtual coach to report their smoking cessation progress. The investigators have created an enhanced STEADES-2 system, which incorporates gamification using the eCO data as game element and allows anonymized smokers to compete with each other for the game rewards. It has additional authentication functions and embeds an e-coaching program by trained healthcare professionals. Methods and analysis This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of the STEADES-2 system in increasing smoking quit rate. The former includes assessing the smokers to monitor their eCO levels; leverage on telesupport via the e-Coaching to raise their motivation; reduce relapse tendencies by playing serious games with fellow smokers. The investigators postulate that the smoking quit rate in smokers in the STEADES-2 intervention group will be higher by 50% than the controls over 12 weeks. This trial will randomly select 20 smokers each into the intervention group and the control group. Smokers in both groups will be compared in terms of complete abstinence from cigarettes as the primary outcome at 12 weeks post-enrolment. Ethics and dissemination The Institutional Review Board approves the study. The results will be disseminated via conferences and publications.