Empowering smoking cessation for LGBTQ+ adults in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas
Empowering Smoking Cessation for People With High Levels of Stress and Low Social Support in Oklahoma and the ACS South Region
This project will try adding online volunteer activities and a digital support hub to a quit-app plus mailed nicotine patches to see if it helps LGBTQ+ adults in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas quit smoking.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase2; Phase3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Oklahoma Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) |
| Trial ID | NCT06820034 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a remote, two-arm randomized trial enrolling 398 sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults who want to quit smoking, with follow-up at 26 weeks. Participants are randomized (stratified by gender, sexual orientation, age, and state) to receive either a quit-app plus mailed nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or the same plus participation in online SGM-serving volunteer activities (≥4 sessions) and access to a digital hub for social support. All activities are delivered remotely via phone/text, email, web platforms, private social media group, and Zoom to maximize accessibility and scalability. The trial was developed with community partners including Freedom Oklahoma and a Community Advisory Board from Arkansas and Texas to adapt an Oklahoma pilot intervention for nearby states.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) who identify as sexual and/or gender minorities, currently smoke cigarettes, live in Oklahoma, Arkansas, or Texas, are willing to quit within 30 days, can read English well, have weekly internet access and a smartphone, are willing to participate in volunteer activities, and can use NRT.
Not a fit: People unlikely to benefit include those living outside OK/AR/TX, those unwilling or unable to use NRT or participate in volunteer activities, those without a smartphone or regular internet access, those currently using other cessation treatments, or those with serious psychological distress per the Kessler K6 exclusion criteria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could increase quit rates among SGM adults in high-stigma regions by combining standard app/NRT treatment with empowerment-driven peer support and volunteer engagement.
How similar studies have performed: Digital quit apps plus NRT have shown efficacy in general populations and small pilot community-based empowerment interventions for SGM smokers have been promising, but large randomized evidence for adding SGM-serving volunteer engagement in high-stigma regions is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: * Currently using other smoking cessation treatments. * Unable or unwilling to use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) * Serious psychological distress (i.e., score of 13 ≥ 18 on the Kessler Psychological Distress (PD) Scale-6 19) Inclusion criteria will be: 1. ≥ 18 years old 2. sexual and/or gender minority-identified (SGM) (see definition below) 3. living in Oklahoma, Texas, or Arkansas (verified by address) 4. a current cigarette smoker (see definition) 5. willing to quit smoking within 30 days of enrollment (see definition) 6. ability to read and speak English 'well' or 'very well' 7. ≥ weekly internet access 8. willing and able to participate in SGM-serving volunteer activities. 9. own a smartphone Sexual minority identity will be indicated by selecting any non-heterosexual response option(s) from: Heterosexual (Straight); Gay or Lesbian; Bisexual; Something else (please state)." Participants will indicate the sex assigned on their birth certificate (i.e., natal sex). Gender minority identity will be indicated by "Trans male/Trans man;" "Trans female/Trans woman;" "Gender queer/Gender non-conforming;" "Different identity (please state)" or a binary identity (male or female) non-concordant with natal sex. Current cigarette smoking will be indicated by ≥100 lifetime cigarettes and currently smoking cigarettes "every day" or "some days". High SGM stigma states are defined as the 22 states wherein ˂60% of the population 'thinks that homosexuality should be accepted'. High SGM stigma municipalities are defined as one of the 246 U.S. municipalities (out of the 496 scored from all U.S. states) that scored below the median (71) on the HRC Municipal Equality Index. Willingness to quit smoking will be assessed with a single item: "Are you willing to quit smoking cigarettes within 30 days after enrolling in this study? (yes/no)". To be classified as 'ready to quit smoking,' participants will report readiness to quit in the next 30 days and at least 1 past-year quit attempt (i.e., in the "Preparation" stage of change).
Where this trial is running
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- University of Oklahoma Health Campus — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Julia McQuoid, PhD — University of Oklahoma
- Study coordinator: Julia McQuoid, PhD
- Email: julia-mcquoid@ouhsc.edu
- Phone: 405-271-6872
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.