SynthesisBMC public health2019
Adherence of popular smoking cessation mobile applications to evidence-based guidelines.
Synthesis in BMC public health, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05318651 (Determinants of Use of Mobile Apps for Smoking Cessation), which is not on this map. Cited by 28 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Determinants of Use of Mobile Apps for Smoking Cessation
Who cites it
28 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Assessing the Quality and Behavior Change Potential of Vaping Cessation Apps: Systematic Search and Assessment.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2024Pooled it
- Inventory and Analysis of Controlled Trials of Mobile Phone Applications Targeting Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2021Pooled it
- Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention for Smoking Cessation in Low-Income Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA network open · 2025Trial
- Smartphone Application for Smoking Cessation (Quit with US): A Randomized Controlled Trial among Young Adult Light Smokers in Thailand.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Trial
- Adherence to mHealth quit smoking application 'stopcoach' on top of evidence based smoking cessation counselling: association with participant characteristics and long-term abstinence.Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy · 2025Article
- App-Based Smoking Urge Reduction Intervention for Young Adults: Protocol Combining a Microrandomized Trial and Conventional Between-Subject Randomized Trial.JMIR research protocols · 2025Article
- Exploring perspectives on digital smoking cessation just-in-time adaptive interventions: A focus group study with adult smokers and smoking cessation professionals.PLOS digital health · 2025Article
- Developing and testing a mobile application for imparting knowledge: the positive birth experience guideline to midwifery students.BMC medical education · 2025Article
- Application of Behavior Change Techniques and Rated Quality of Smoking Cessation Apps in China: Content Analysis.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2025Article
- Micro-randomized pilot trial of an app-based smoking urge reduction intervention for young adults.mHealth · 2025Article
- A feature-based qualitative assessment of smoking cessation mobile applications.PLOS digital health · 2024Article
- Initial Evaluation of Acceptability, Engagement, and Effectiveness of the MO App to Provide Tailored and Comprehensive Support for Smoking Cessation: Development and Usability Study.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2024Article
- Perceptions of the Use of Mobile Technologies for Smoking Cessation: Focus Group Study With Individuals of Low Socioeconomic Status Who Smoke.JMIR formative research · 2024Article
- Combining app-based behavioral therapy with electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation: a study protocol for a single-arm mixed-methods pilot trial.Addiction science & clinical practice · 2024Article
- Article
- Preliminary Efficacy of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Smartphone App for Smoking Cessation in China: Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.JMIR formative research · 2024Article
- Efficacy of an individual-tailored smoking cessation intervention APP among Chinese smokers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.BMC public health · 2024Article
- Use of the Smoking Cessation App Ex-Smokers iCoach and Associations With Smoking-Related Outcomes Over Time in a Large Sample of European Smokers: Retrospective Observational Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2023Observational
- Smartphone Apps for Smoking Cessation: Systematic Framework for App Review and Analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2023Review
- Evaluation of an innovative mHealth-based integrated modality for smoking cessation in Chinese smokers: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.BMC public health · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSmoking remains one of the major preventable causes of chronic diseases. Considering the promising evidence on the effectiveness of mobile technology for health behaviour change, along with the increasing adoption of smartphones, this review aims to systematically assess the adherence of popular mobile apps for smoking cessation to evidence-based guidelines.
methodsThe United Kingdom Android and iOS markets were searched in February 2018 to identify smoking cessation apps. After screening, 125 Android and 15 iOS apps were tested independently by two reviewers for adherence to the National Institute of Care and Excellence (NICE) Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Self-Help Materials and the Five A Guidelines for Smoking Cessation. Pearson chi square tests were run to examine differences between the two operating systems.
resultsA majority of apps across both operating systems had low adherence (fulfils 1-2 out of 5 guidelines) to the Five A Guidelines (65.7%) and low adherence (fulfils 1-3 out of 9 guidelines) to the NICE Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Self-Help Materials (63.6%). Only 15% of mobile apps provided information about the benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and even fewer provided information regarding types of NRT products (7.1%) or how to use them (2.1%). In addition, only a minority of apps arrange follow-up appointments or provide additional support to help smokers quit.
conclusionSimilar to previous mobile app reviews dating back to 2014, our findings show that most mobile apps do not follow existing smoking cessation treatment guidelines, indicating little change regarding the availability of evidence-based mobile apps for smoking cessation in the UK market. Smokers seeking to quit, tobacco control policy makers and software developers need to work together to develop apps that are in line with the latest clinical guidelines and strategies to maximise effectiveness.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.