Videogame-based Incentives for Smoking Cessation
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01761760 |
Recruitment Status :
Terminated
(There were a number of bugs in the game that meant the participants were not getting the intended intervention.)
First Posted : January 7, 2013
Last Update Posted : April 26, 2019
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Smoking Cessation | Behavioral: Videogame-based smoking cessation intervention | Not Applicable |
Cigarette smoking remains the number one cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the U.S. A number of barriers have been noted that prevent access to smoking cessation interventions, such as lack of clinician training, the time commitment required to implement treatments, and the costs associated with treatment. Thus, it is critically important that more effective interventions be developed, and be made accessible at a relatively low cost, to smokers. We recently developed an Internet-based Contingency Management Intervention (CM),, where participants submit web-camera recorded videos as they exhale into a CO monitor, and they earn money for abstinence. Although the costs associated with providing monetary incentives contingent on smoking abstinence are likely to be less than the costs associated with medical complications caused by smoking, the cost of incentives is often cited as a barrier to CM. Thus, the goals of the present proposal are to markedly decrease costs and increase sustainability of this highly accessible Internet-based CM for smoking cessation.
Using an iterative development process with the help of a team of experts, a social strategy video game intended to be fun and engaging will be developed for Facebook ("Quitters, Incorporated"). Treatment-seeking smokers will be able to earn incentives contingent on meeting web-camera verified CO values consistent with smoking abstinence. Three powerful, evidence-based incentives will be harnessed in this CM. The incentives will consist of: (1) individual contingencies that can be used to improve game play, (2) social contingencies, such as positive feedback and virtual rewards, that can be given to other players to acknowledge their success with abstinence and improve their game play, and (3) group contingencies that will require all members of a group to meet abstinence goals in order to unlock access to certain game features. After game development, we will assess the feasibility, acceptability, enjoyability, and preliminary efficacy of video-game-based CM for smoking cessation. A 7-week pilot study will involve randomly assigning participants (N=100) to either: (1) abstinent contingent, where incentives will be delivered contingent on quitting smoking, or (2) submission contingent, where incentives will be delivered contingent on submitting videos, but independent of quitting smoking.
The outcomes of the pilot study will impact future research in the development of video-game-based CM interventions for smoking, as well as for alcohol and other drug use, and medication compliance in diabetes, asthma, and other conditions. Game-based CM will promote widespread access to this innovative, fun, sustainable intervention at a relatively low cost (the game will be available to play for free), thereby offering the potential to have a substantial public health impact.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 24 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Single (Participant) |
Primary Purpose: | Health Services Research |
Official Title: | Game-based Contingency Management for Smoking Cessation |
Actual Study Start Date : | May 8, 2017 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | July 30, 2018 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | July 30, 2018 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Contingent
Patients will earn game-based incentives contingent on meeting carbon monoxide goals. Behavioral: Videogame-based smoking cessation intervention |
Behavioral: Videogame-based smoking cessation intervention
Patients will enroll in a videogame that is intended to help them quit smoking. They will be given goals for quitting (based on carbon monoxide readings submitted over a secure internet server) and will earn game-based incentives either contingent or noncontingent on meeting those goals. |
Active Comparator: Non-contingent
Patients will earn game-based incentives independent of meeting carbon monoxide goals. Behavioral: Videogame-based smoking cessation intervention |
Behavioral: Videogame-based smoking cessation intervention
Patients will enroll in a videogame that is intended to help them quit smoking. They will be given goals for quitting (based on carbon monoxide readings submitted over a secure internet server) and will earn game-based incentives either contingent or noncontingent on meeting those goals. |
- Sustained smoking abstinence [ Time Frame: 7 weeks ]Sustained abstinence will be collected via self-report
- Self-reports of smoking status, videogame activity, physical and mental health [ Time Frame: 7 weeks ]Patients will complete surveys on-line that ask questions regarding smoking status (how many cigarettes smoked per day), videogame activity (how much time is spent playing videogames), psychosocial health (e.g., physical health, mental health).
- Carbon monoxide in parts per million collected via a carbon monoxide monitor and submitted over a secure website via a web-camera recorded video. [ Time Frame: 7 weeks ]Carbon monoxide will be collected using a carbon monoxide monitor and submitted via. throughout the study to verify smoking abstinence.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years or older
- smoking 10+ cigarettes per day
- smoking for 2+ years
- currently wishes to quit smoking
- has a computer at home with Internet access
- U.S. citizen
- literate
Exclusion Criteria:
- smoking other substances (e.g., marijuana, cigars) > 2 times per month
- unstable medical or psychiatric condition that might interfere with the program
- living with someone who smokes in the home
- a job that exposes the person to excessive ambient carbon monoxide

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01761760
United States, New Jersey | |
Rowan University | |
Glassboro, New Jersey, United States, 08028 |
Principal Investigator: | Bethany Raiff | Rowan University |
Responsible Party: | Bethany Raiff, Assistant Professor, Rowan University |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01761760 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
5R34DA033536-03 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) R34DA033536 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) |
First Posted: | January 7, 2013 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | April 26, 2019 |
Last Verified: | April 2019 |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |