A mobile game to help young people quit smoking

Detour: a Smartphone Game to Help Youth Quit Smoking

NA · Behavioural Science Institute · NCT06675526

This study tests a smartphone game designed to help young people aged 16-25 quit smoking by using fun strategies and support over five weeks.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment604 (estimated)
Ages16 Years to 25 Years
SexAll
SponsorBehavioural Science Institute (other)
Locations1 site (Nijmegen, Gelderland)
Trial IDNCT06675526 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial tests a smartphone game called Detour aimed at helping adolescents and young adults aged 16-25 quit smoking. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the game or a digital self-help brochure for a duration of five weeks, during which they will quit smoking after the first week. The game incorporates various strategies, including personalized goal setting and social interaction, to support smoking cessation. Data will be collected on smoking behavior, usage of the intervention, and emotional well-being throughout the study.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents and young adults aged 16-25 who smoke at least weekly and are motivated to quit.

Not a fit: Patients who smoke less than once a week or are not motivated to quit smoking will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could provide a novel and engaging method for young people to quit smoking.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with gamified interventions for smoking cessation, indicating potential for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. aged 16 to 25 years
2. smokes at least weekly
3. motivated to quit smoking (participants should answer "misschien", "waarschijnlijk" or "heel erg" to the question are you motivated to quit smoking at this specific moment?).
4. installed Detour application; only applicable for participants assigned to the game intervention group.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. younger than 16 or older than 25
2. smoke less than once a week
3. not motivated to quit smoking are not eligible for this study i.e. participants who answered "helemaal niet"/"not at all") or "onwaarschijnlijk"/"unlikely" to the question are you motivated to quit smoking at this specific moment?).

Where this trial is running

Nijmegen, Gelderland

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Smoking Cessation, Smoking Reduction, Adolescent Behavior, Social Behavior, Behaviour change, Game intervention, Peer influence, Smoking cessation

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.