Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T01:00:35.040Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A Review of Android Apps for Smoking Cessation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2014

Melanie E. Bennett ,
Kristin Toffey ,
Faith Dickerson ,
Seth Himelhoch ,
Emily Katsafanas  and
Christina L.G. Savage
Melanie E. Bennett*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD VISN 5 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Baltimore, MD
Kristin Toffey
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Faith Dickerson
Affiliation:
Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, MD
Seth Himelhoch
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD VISN 5 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Baltimore, MD
Emily Katsafanas
Affiliation:
Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, MD
Christina L.G. Savage
Affiliation:
Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, MD
*
Address for Correspondence: Melanie E. Bennett, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 737 W. Lombard Street, Suite 551, Baltimore, MD21201. Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Introduction: The use of applications (apps) on smartphones and tablet devices is a fast growing component of health behaviour change efforts, including smoking cessation. While the content and utility of iPhone apps for smoking cessation have been systematically reviewed, Android apps have not been examined.

Aims: This study reviewed and evaluated free Android apps for smoking cessation available for download from Google Play and Amazon's USA homepage in January 2013.

Methods: Apps were reviewed; those targeting smoking cessation were identified and examined to ensure that they targeted tobacco smoking and were focused on quitting. Remaining apps were independently rated by three reviewers for 24 clinical strategies for smoking cessation. Results: Overall, 284 free apps were identified using the search terms ‘quit smoking’, ‘smoking cessation’, and ‘stop smoking’; 113 apps that targeted smoking cessation were downloaded for further review. Of these, 21 targeted tobacco smoking and were focused on quitting. These apps had moderate to low ratings for the 24 strategies, indicating that they lacked several of the most helpful strategies for quitting smoking. The apps were strongest in helping users track the number of cigarettes smoked. None connected users to on-line sources of support, referred users to smoking cessation counselling, or recommended the use of nicotine replacement therapies.

Conclusions: While Android apps for smoking cessation have some strengths, they would benefit from incorporating a broader range of strategies for helping people quit smoking.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Smoking Cessation , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , December 2015 , pp. 106 - 115
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Australian Academic Press Pty Ltd 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abroms, L., Padmanabhan, N., Thaweethai, L., & Phillips, T. (2011). iPhone apps for smoking cessation: A content analysis. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 40 (3), 279–285. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2010.10.032 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2012). Five Major Steps to Intervention (The ‘5A's’). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. Retrieved from: http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/clinicians-providers/guidelines-recommendations/tobacco/5steps.html Google Scholar
Barnes, J., Dong, C.Y., McRobbie, H., Walker, N., Mehta, M., & Stead, L.F. (2010). Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001008.pub2 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bock, B.C., Graham, A.L., Sciamanna, C.N., Krishnamoorthy, J., Whiteley, J., Carmona-Barros, R., Niaura, R., & Abrams, D. (2004). Smoking cessation treatment on the Internet: content, quality, and usability. Nicotine Tobacco Research, 6, 207–219.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brenner, J. (2013). Pew internet: Mobile. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from: http://pewinternet.org/Commentary/2012/February/Pew-Internet-Mobile.aspx.Google Scholar
Brug, J., Oenema, A., & Campbell, M. (2003). Past, present, and future of computer tailored nutrition education. America Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 77(Suppl 4), 1028S–1034S. Retrieved from: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/77/4/1028S.full.pdf+html CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carpenter, M.J., Hughes, J.R., & Keely, J.P. (2003). Effect of smoking reduction on later cessation: a pilot experimental study. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 5, 155–162.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carpenter, M.J., Hughes, J.R., Solomon, L.J. et al. (2004). Both smoking reduction with nicotine replacement therapy and motivational advice increase future cessation among smokers unmotivated to quit. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 371–381.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Catley, D., O'Connell, K.A., & Shiffman, S. (2000). Absentminded lapses during smoking cessation. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 14 (1), 73–76.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012), ‘Smoking and Tobacco Use’. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/ ‘Smoking and Tobacco Use’.Google Scholar
Clinical Practice Guideline Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence 2008 Update Panel, Liaisons, and Staff (2008). A clinical practice guideline for treating tobacco use and dependence: 2008 update: A U.S. Public Health Service report. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 35, 158–176.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Department of Health and Human Services. (2004). The health consequences of smoking: A report of the Surgeon General. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health: Washington, DC. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/2004/complete_report/index.htm Google Scholar
Fiore, M.C., Jaen, C.R., Baker, T.B. et al. (2008). Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update. Clinical Practice Guideline 2008. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service. Retrieved from: www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/treatment_tobacco_use08.pdf Google Scholar
Fox, S., & Duggan, M. (2012). Mobile Health 2012. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Mobile-Health.aspx.Google Scholar
‘Global Mobile Statistics 2013 Part A: Mobile Subscribers; Handset Market Share; Mobile Operators.’ Mobithinking. DotMobi, May 2013. Web. 18 Sept. 2013. http://mobithinking.com/mobile-marketing-tools/latest-mobile-stats/a.Google Scholar
Goldstein, M.G., Whitlock, E.P., & DePue, J. (2004). Multiple behavioral risk factor interventions in primary care. Summary of research evidence. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 27, 61–79.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Greaves, C.J., Sheppard, K.E., Abraham, C., Hardeman, W., Roden, M., Evans, P.H., Schwarz, P., IMAGE Study Group. (2011). Systematic review of reviews of intervention components associated with increased effectiveness in dietary and physical activity interventions. BMC Public Health, 11, 119. doi: 10.1186 /1471-2458-11-119 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Larimer, M.E., & Cronce, J.M. (2007). Identification, prevention, and treatment revisited: individual-focused college drinking prevention strategies 1999–2006. Addictive Behaviors, 32 (11), 2439–2468.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lehto, T., & Oinas-Kukkonen, H. (2011). Persuasive features in web-based alcohol and smoking interventions: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 13 (3), e46. doi: 10.2196/jmir.1559 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ling, F. (2013, June 20). What's the difference between an Android phone and iPhone? Retrieved October 9, 2013, from BuyMyTronics.com website: http://www.buymytronics.com/blog/post/2013/06/20/Whats-the-difference-between-an-Android-phone-and-iPhone.aspx Google Scholar
Michie, S., Whittington, C., Hamoudi, Z., Zarnani, F., Tober, G., & West, R. (2012). Identification of behaviour change techniques to reduce excessive alcohol consumption. Addiction, 107 (8), 1431–1440. doi: 10.1111/j.1360–0443.2012.03845 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Muessig, K.E., Pike, E.C., LeGrand, S., & Hightow-Weidman, L.B. (2013). Mobile phone applications for the care and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases: a review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15 (1), e1. doi: 10.2196/jmir.2301.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nielson Company. (2010). Android, iPhone OS Market Share Grow 2%. Marketingvox.com. Watershed Publishing. Retrieved from: www.marketingvox.com/android-iphone-os-marketshare grow-2-047091/Google Scholar
Orleans, C.T., Woolf, S.H., Rothemich, S.F. et al. (2006). The top priority: Building a better system for tobacco-cessation counseling. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 31, 103–106.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Purcell, K. (2011). Half of adult cell phone owners have apps on their phones. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Apps-update.aspx Google Scholar
Schroeder, S.A. (2005). What to do with a patient who smokes. JAMA, 294, 482–487.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, A. (2013). Smartphone ownership – 2013 update. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from: http://pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2013/PIP_Smartphone_adoption_2013.pdf Google Scholar
van Achterberg, T., Huisman-de Waal, G.G., Ketelaar, N.A., Oostendorp, R.A., Jacobs, J.E., & Wollershein, H.C. (2011). How to promote healthy behaviours in patients? An overview of evidence for behaviour change techniques. Health Promotion International, 26 (2), 148–162. doi: 10.1093 /heapro/daq050 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Whitlock, E.P., Orleans, C.T., Pender, N. et al. (2002). Evaluating primary care behavioral counseling interventions: An evidence-based approach. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 22, 267–284.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed