Helping people who are unsure about quitting smoking through a mobile app

Evaluation of a Novel mHealth Intervention for People Who Are Ambivalent About Quitting Smoking: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NIH-funded research Kaiser Foundation Research Institute · NIH-10936438

This study is testing a friendly mobile app called GEMS that helps adults who are unsure about quitting smoking by offering fun exercises and support to think about quitting when they're ready.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionKaiser Foundation Research Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Oakland, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10936438 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a mobile health app designed to assist adults who are ambivalent about quitting smoking. The app, named GEMS, offers a series of self-guided exercises that aim to engage users, motivate them to consider quitting, and connect them to evidence-based treatments when they are ready. By focusing on the unique needs of individuals who are not actively seeking to quit, this intervention seeks to provide a low-cost and scalable solution to reduce smoking prevalence. Participants will be involved in a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of this innovative approach.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who currently smoke but are not actively seeking to quit.

Not a fit: Patients who are already committed to quitting smoking or those who do not smoke will not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, accessible tool for individuals who are hesitant to quit smoking, potentially leading to higher rates of smoking cessation.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using mobile health interventions for smoking cessation, indicating that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Oakland, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.