Mobile smoking cessation program for Veterans undergoing surgery

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study aims to develop and test a mobile contingency management (CM) intervention designed to help military Veterans quit smoking before undergoing major elective surgery. Given that smoking significantly increases the risk of postoperative complications, the intervention will provide positive reinforcement through rewards for verified abstinence from smoking. The study will tailor the CM approach to the surgical context, ensuring it is feasible and effective for Veterans. By focusing on this high-risk population, the study seeks to improve surgical outcomes and reduce the incidence of complications associated with smoking.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* English-speaking;
* Veteran enrolled in healthcare at SFVAHCS;
* Veteran scheduled for major elective surgery within the next 6 months (including but not limited to: general, spinal, thoracic, vascular, urological, gynecological, orthopedic, gender affirming). Veterans, who are followed at SFVAHCS by Primary Care and are referred to outside institutions for major surgery (e.g., gynecological or gender-affirming surgeries) are also eligible to participate;
* Current (past 30 days) cigarette smoking a minimum of 1 cigarette per day (average), assessed by Timeline Followback (TLFB);
* Open to receiving smoking cessation interventions.

Exclusion Criteria:

Evaluated by investigative team medical record review and clinical assessment: - Psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, neurocognitive disorder, or other psychiatric or medical conditions judged by the PI to be unstable based on medical record review and/or screening results;

* Untreated, current, active problem gambling, assessed by medical record diagnosis and/ or Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) score ≥ 8;
* Enrollment in end of life/ palliative care;
* Surgery with a clinical indication for cancer;
* Unable to meet time commitment;
* Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study (people of childbearing potential ages 18-55);
* A suicide attempt or suicidal ideation with intent in the 30 days before enrollment;
* Concurrent participation in another tobacco cessation trial.

Where it's running

• San Francisco VA Health Care System
  San Francisco, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Ellen Herbst, MD — San Francisco VA Health Care System
• Study coordinator: Ellen Herbst, MD
• Email: ellen.herbst@va.gov
• Phone: 415-221-4810

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.