NCT07803354

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and participant experiences of a WeChat-delivered, metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention.

Trial Health

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Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
200

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
15mo left

Started Sep 2026

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress7%
Sep 2026Dec 2027

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 31, 2026

Completed
1 day until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2026

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 3, 2026

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 30, 2027

Expected
6 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 31, 2027

Last Updated

September 9, 2026

Status Verified

September 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

10 months

First QC Date

August 31, 2026

Last Update Submit

September 4, 2026

Conditions

Smoking CessationMobile Health

Keywords

Metaphor-based interventionSmoking cessationTobacco use

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Biochemical validated quit rate at 6 months follow-up

    The primary outcomes are biochemically validated quit rate (exhaled carbon monoxide \< 4 ppm or salivary cotinine \< 30 ng/ml)

    6 months follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (8)

  • Biochemical validated quit rate at 3 months follow-up

    3 months follow-up

  • Self-reported 7-day point prevalence quit rate

    3 and 6 months follow-up

  • Smoking reduction rate

    3 and 6 months follow-up

  • Eligibility rate

    baseline

  • Consent rate

    baseline

  • +3 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Metaphor-based intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

Metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention + 5A's/5R's advice + health warning leaflet

Behavioral: Metaphor-based smoking cessation interventionBehavioral: 5A's/5R's adviceOther: Health warning leaflet

Control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

5A's/5R's advice + health warning leaflet

Behavioral: 5A's/5R's adviceOther: Health warning leaflet

Interventions

Metaphor-based smoking cessation interventionBEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive a 100-day, WeChat-delivered smoking cessation intervention using metaphors such as "fog" and "restart" to describe smoking urges, nicotine dependence, and the process of behavior change. The intervention will provide staged messages on smoking-trigger identification, self-monitoring, action planning, coping strategies, environmental modification, social support, and relapse prevention, together with personalized feedback and a personalized journey map to help participants review their cessation experiences and progress.

Metaphor-based intervention group
5A's/5R's adviceBEHAVIORAL

The 5A's approach (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange) will be used for participants who are ready to quit, and the 5R's approach (Relevance, Risks, Rewards, Roadblocks, and Repetition) will be used for participants who are not ready to quit.

Control groupMetaphor-based intervention group
Health warning leafletOTHER

The health warning leaflet provides essential information on the dangers of secondhand and thirdhand smoke. It outlines how exposure to these forms of smoke can harm both smokers and non-smokers, particularly children, by increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses and other health issues.

Control groupMetaphor-based intervention group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • aged 18 and above, reside in Zhuhai for the next 6 months;
  • smoke at least 1 cigarette or use e-cigarettes daily;
  • Having a smartphone and a WeChat account, being able to use WeChat skillfully.

You may not qualify if:

  • Smokers who have communication barrier (either physically or cognitively);
  • Smokers who are currently participating in other SC programmes or services

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Beijing Normal University

Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519087, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Smoking CessationTobacco Use

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Health BehaviorBehavior

Study Officials

  • Xue Weng

    Beijing Normal University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Xue Weng

CONTACT

3621259xueweng@bnu.edu.cn

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 31, 2026

First Posted

September 3, 2026

Study Start

September 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2027

Last Updated

September 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

CN(1)