A new app to help people with serious mental illness quit smoking.
Official title: Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel Smoking Cessation Application Tailored to Individuals with Serious Mental Illness.
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11066934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly mobile app called Learn to Quit, which helps people with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to stop smoking by using helpful techniques and support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2020 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $465,465 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DA047301-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have serious mental illnesses and are seeking help to quit smoking.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have serious mental illnesses or those who are not interested in quitting smoking may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing a mobile application called Learn to Quit, specifically designed to assist individuals with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in quitting smoking. The app incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a behavioral treatment that has shown promise in helping users overcome smoking addiction. Participants will receive education on nicotine replacement therapy and guidance aligned with clinical best practices. The study aims to evaluate the app's effectiveness through a randomized controlled trial, providing valuable insights into its usability and impact on smoking cessation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve smoking cessation rates among individuals with serious mental illness, enhancing their overall health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that mobile apps can be effective in delivering behavioral interventions for smoking cessation, indicating a promising avenue for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vilardaga, Roger — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Vilardaga, Roger
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.