Training habitual responses to support a tobacco-free life
Approach Bias Retraining to Augment Long-Term Smoking Cessation Among a Diverse Sample
This study tests whether adding computer-based approach bias retraining to standard smoking cessation treatment helps adults who smoke quit and stay tobacco-free.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Houston Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT07025772 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled study will enroll 300 adults who smoke and are motivated to quit, and assign them to one of three groups: standard treatment plus approach bias retraining (ST+ABR), standard treatment plus a sham retraining (ST+Sham), or standard treatment only (ST-only). Participants receive seven weeks of smoking cessation treatment with the quit day scheduled during the sixth session, and retraining (if assigned) is delivered in the laboratory. For four weeks after the quit day participants complete twice-daily ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) and attend in-person follow-up visits at 1, 3, and 6 months. Smoking status is biochemically verified at study visits to track abstinence and relapse.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older who currently smoke, are motivated to quit, fluent in English with adequate literacy, willing to attend in-person visits, and not using e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement/psychotherapy are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Individuals who have used e-cigarettes in the past three months, are currently using nicotine replacement or therapy for smoking, recently started mental health treatment, are enrolled in other quit programs, or cannot attend in-person lab visits are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding approach bias retraining to standard counseling could increase quit rates and reduce relapse by weakening automatic approach responses to cigarettes.
How similar studies have performed: Approach bias retraining has shown promise in some substance-use contexts and preliminary smoking work, but results have been mixed and it remains a relatively novel adjunct to cessation treatment.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years of age * Ability to speak English fluently * Ability to read English fluently * Ability to write in English fluently * Biochemical verification of self-reported smoking status following minimum study specified smoking rate endorsement * Motivated to quit smoking * Willing to attend in-person visits * Provide written informed consent, accepting study inclusion criteria and the randomized group assignment * English literacy of 7th grade or higher, as indicated by a score of 4 or greater on the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine-Short Form (REALM-SF) Exclusion Criteria: * Having used an e-cigarette in the past 3 months * Having initiated any mental health therapy or pharmacotherapy within the past 3 months * Being currently in therapy for substance abuse (including nicotine dependence) * Being currently enrolled in any other studies at the RESTORE lab to help quit smoking * Currently using any NRT or psychotherapy products for nicotine cessation * Currently using Bupropion as a smoking cessation aid and antidepressant * Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant * Having high blood pressure that is not under control * Having a heart attack within the past 2 weeks * Having Visual impairments * Hand-motoric impairments * Currently suicidal or high suicide risk or current or past psychotic disorders of any type, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, anorexia, bulimia assessed using the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview * Cognitive impairment, verified via a score of ≥8 on the Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6-CIT)
Where this trial is running
Houston, Texas
- RESTORE Laboratory: Research on Emotion, Substance Use Treatment Outcomes, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Lorra Garey, PhD
- Email: llgarey@central.uh.edu
- Phone: 713-743-8056
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.