Esta página foi traduzida automaticamente e a precisão da tradução não é garantida. Por favor, consulte o versão em inglês para um texto fonte.

Promoting Smoking Cessation in the Community Via "Quit to Win" Contest 2026: Engagement-Focused GenAI-based Chatbot for Real-Time Smoking Cessation Support (QTW2026)

26 de junho de 2026 atualizado por: Prof. Wang Man-Ping, The University of Hong Kong

Building Capacity and Promoting Smoking Cessation in the Community Via "Quit to Win" Contest 2026: Real-time Smoking Cessation Instant Messaging Support Using a Engagement-Focused Large Language Model (LLM)-Based Chatbot

The goal of this trial is to learn if chatbot-based instant messaging works to help smoking cessation in general adult smokers. It will also learn about the experience, attitude, and perception of using an LLM-based chatbot. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  1. Will an engagement-focused LLM-based chatbot smoking cessation intervention have a non-inferior validated abstinence rate than the control group?
  2. Will an LLM-based chatbot smoking cessation intervention have a non-inferior self-reported abstinence rate, smoking reduction rate, and smoking cessation services use rate than the control group?

Researchers will compare an LLM-based chatbot smoking-cessation intervention to a human-led instant messaging support group (brief advice based on AWARD and personalised active referral) to determine whether chatbot-based instant messaging support promotes smoking cessation.

Participants in the intervention group will receive:

  1. AWARD advice
  2. Personalised active referral
  3. 12 weeks of chatbot-based instant messaging support (via WhatsApp)

Visão geral do estudo

Status

Ainda não está recrutando

Condições

Intervenção / Tratamento

Descrição detalhada

Although smoking prevalence in Hong Kong has declined to 9.1% in 2023, achieving the government's target of 7.8% by 2025 remains a major public health challenge. Unassisted "cold turkey" quitting has a long-term success rate of less than 5%, whereas evidence-based behavioural and pharmacological interventions can raise success rates to approximately 20% or higher. However, existing cessation services in Hong Kong face a critical utilisation gap: only 17.5% of smokers have engaged with professional services, and merely 23% have used nicotine replacement therapy. This underutilisation suggests that traditional human-resource-intensive models may lack accessibility, scalability, and local appeal. Generative AI, particularly large language models, offers a transformative solution by delivering consistent, scalable, and personalised support. In the 2025 "Quit to Win" round, investigators integrated an LLM-based chatbot via WhatsApp and received positive qualitative feedback. Yet quantitative analysis revealed a sharp decline in engagement, with weekly participation dropping from 32% in week 1 to 14% by week 12, indicating that conversational ability alone does not guarantee sustained user commitment. To address this implementation gap, investigators have developed an engagement-focused GenAI companion that incorporates structured onboarding, context-aware personalisation, multimodal (text/audio) input, empathetic support, habit-aligned reminders, localised humour, and gamified features such as success stories and knowledge quizzes. Therefore, the current study aims to test, via a two-arm non-inferiority randomised controlled trial, the effectiveness of a comprehensive intervention combining brief cessation advice (AWARD), personalised active referral, and this engagement-enhanced GenAI chatbot support compared with human-led instant messaging counselling among current smokers who join the Quit to Win Contest across all 18 districts of Hong Kong.

Tipo de estudo

Intervencional

Inscrição (Estimado)

998

Estágio

  • Não aplicável

Contactos e Locais

Esta seção fornece os detalhes de contato para aqueles que conduzem o estudo e informações sobre onde este estudo está sendo realizado.

Contato de estudo

  • Nome: Man Ping Wang, PhD
  • Número de telefone: +852 3917 6636
  • E-mail: mpwang@hku.hk

Estude backup de contato

Locais de estudo

    • Hong Kong
      • Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077
        • Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH)
        • Contato:
          • Man Ping Wang, PhD
          • Número de telefone: +852 3917 6636
          • E-mail: mpwang@hku.hk
        • Subinvestigador:
          • Shengzhi Zhao, PhD
        • Subinvestigador:
          • Xiaoyun Xie, MPH
        • Subinvestigador:
          • Mengyao Li, Mphil
        • Contato:
        • Investigador principal:
          • Man Ping Wang
        • Subinvestigador:
          • Ziqiu Guo, PhD
        • Subinvestigador:
          • Yilan Wu, MGH
        • Subinvestigador:
          • Patrick IP, MD, PhD
        • Subinvestigador:
          • Ning Huang, PhD

Critérios de participação

Os pesquisadores procuram pessoas que se encaixem em uma determinada descrição, chamada de critérios de elegibilidade. Alguns exemplos desses critérios são a condição geral de saúde de uma pessoa ou tratamentos anteriores.

Critérios de elegibilidade

Idades elegíveis para estudo

  • Adulto
  • Adulto mais velho

Aceita Voluntários Saudáveis

Não

Descrição

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Hong Kong residents aged 18 years or above
  2. Smoke at least one cigarette (including heated tobacco products) per day or use an e-cigarette daily in the preceding 3 months
  3. Able to communicate in Cantonese (including reading and writing Chinese)
  4. Saliva cotinine level ≥30 ng/mL
  5. Intention to quit or reduce smoking
  6. Have WhatsApp installed
  7. Able to use WhatsApp for communication

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Smokers who have communication barriers (either physical or cognitive)
  2. Smokers who are currently participating in other smoking cessation programs or services

Plano de estudo

Esta seção fornece detalhes do plano de estudo, incluindo como o estudo é projetado e o que o estudo está medindo.

Como o estudo é projetado?

Detalhes do projeto

  • Finalidade Principal: Pesquisa de serviços de saúde
  • Alocação: Randomizado
  • Modelo Intervencional: Atribuição Paralela
  • Mascaramento: Solteiro

Armas e Intervenções

Grupo de Participantes / Braço
Intervenção / Tratamento
Experimental: Grupo de intervenção
Mensagens do WhatsApp em lembretes de pesquisa de acompanhamento.
A brief (30-60 seconds) face-to-face or remote smoking cessation advice delivered using the validated AWARD model: Ask about smoking history; Warn about high health risks (accompanied by a health warning leaflet); Advise quitting as soon as possible and setting a quit date (to qualify for contest prizes); Refer to smoking cessation services using a referral card; Do it again - repeat the intervention at each follow-up, encouraging re-quitting after relapse or relapse prevention after success.
A two-sided, colour-printed A4 leaflet covering: (1) absolute risk of death from smoking; (2) full list of diseases caused by active and second-hand smoking; (3) ten pictorial warnings of health consequences on one page for maximum impact; (4) benefits of smoking cessation; and (5) simple encouraging messages to quit.
A three-folded card containing brief information and highlights of existing smoking cessation services in Hong Kong, contact methods, motivational messages, and strong supporting slogans.
A generic booklet provided covering: benefits of quitting, smoking-related diseases, methods to quit, how to handle withdrawal symptoms, a quitting declaration, and other practical tips.
Participants in the intervention group will receive 12 weeks of instant messaging support delivered by an LLM-based chatbot (GPT-4o or newer) on WhatsApp, supporting text and audio input. Using prompt engineering, agent techniques, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation, the chatbot delivers theory-based 5As/5Rs-structured interventions alongside freeform, on-demand support, with engagement features including personalisation, proactive check-ins, and interactive Quick Commands.
Smokers will be introduced to various SC services in Hong Kong (via the referral card) and motivated to use them. Well-trained SC ambassadors will assist smokers in choosing their favourite or most convenient type of service. Research staff will assist participants in booking or re-booking the SC services at the 1- and 2-month follow-ups (after very brief questionnaire surveys). Participants' contact information will be forwarded to SC service providers within 7 days, and providers are expected to contact participants within 1-2 weeks. Research staff will also monitor participants' use of SC services at each follow-up (1-, 2-, 3-, and 6-month) and, at the 1- and 2-month follow-ups, assist participants in booking or rebooking appointments if necessary. Investigators shall liaise with existing service providers and seek their assistance in promptly supporting our smokers.
Comparador Ativo: Grupo de controle
Mensagens do WhatsApp em lembretes de pesquisa de acompanhamento.
A brief (30-60 seconds) face-to-face or remote smoking cessation advice delivered using the validated AWARD model: Ask about smoking history; Warn about high health risks (accompanied by a health warning leaflet); Advise quitting as soon as possible and setting a quit date (to qualify for contest prizes); Refer to smoking cessation services using a referral card; Do it again - repeat the intervention at each follow-up, encouraging re-quitting after relapse or relapse prevention after success.
A two-sided, colour-printed A4 leaflet covering: (1) absolute risk of death from smoking; (2) full list of diseases caused by active and second-hand smoking; (3) ten pictorial warnings of health consequences on one page for maximum impact; (4) benefits of smoking cessation; and (5) simple encouraging messages to quit.
A three-folded card containing brief information and highlights of existing smoking cessation services in Hong Kong, contact methods, motivational messages, and strong supporting slogans.
A generic booklet provided covering: benefits of quitting, smoking-related diseases, methods to quit, how to handle withdrawal symptoms, a quitting declaration, and other practical tips.
Participants in the control group will receive 12 weeks of instant messaging support delivered by a trained human counsellor via WhatsApp. Using the same theoretical frameworks as the chatbot intervention, the counsellor will provide real-time behavioural and psychosocial support grounded in the 5As/5Rs models, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and evidence-based Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs). The support will be personalised according to each participant's sociodemographic characteristics, smoking patterns, quit intentions, and plans.
Smokers will be introduced to various SC services in Hong Kong (via the referral card) and motivated to use them. Well-trained SC ambassadors will assist smokers in choosing their favourite or most convenient type of service. Research staff will assist participants in booking or re-booking the SC services at the 1- and 2-month follow-ups (after very brief questionnaire surveys). Participants' contact information will be forwarded to SC service providers within 7 days, and providers are expected to contact participants within 1-2 weeks. Research staff will also monitor participants' use of SC services at each follow-up (1-, 2-, 3-, and 6-month) and, at the 1- and 2-month follow-ups, assist participants in booking or rebooking appointments if necessary. Investigators shall liaise with existing service providers and seek their assistance in promptly supporting our smokers.

O que o estudo está medindo?

Medidas de resultados primários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
Abstinência validada bioquimicamente
Prazo: Acompanhamento de 6 meses
Definido como nível de CO exalado <4ppm e nível de cotinina na saliva ≤30 ng/ml
Acompanhamento de 6 meses

Medidas de resultados secundários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
Abstinência validada bioquimicamente
Prazo: Acompanhamento de 3 meses
Definido como nível de CO exalado <4ppm e nível de cotinina na saliva ≤30 ng/ml
Acompanhamento de 3 meses
Auto-relatada Prevalência de Ponto de 7 dias
Prazo: Acompanhamentos de 3 e 6 meses
Fumantes que não fumavam nem um sopro nos 7 dias anteriores ao acompanhamento
Acompanhamentos de 3 e 6 meses
Redução autorreferida
Prazo: 1-, 2-, 3 e 6 meses de acompanhamento
Definido por pelo menos 50% de redução no número diário da linha de base de cigarros
1-, 2-, 3 e 6 meses de acompanhamento
Uso autorreferido do serviço de cessação de fumar
Prazo: 1-, 2-, 3 e 6 meses de acompanhamento
Uso do serviço de cessação do tabagismo nos acompanhamentos de 1, 2, 3 e 6 meses.
1-, 2-, 3 e 6 meses de acompanhamento
Prolonged abstinence
Prazo: 3-month and 6-month follow-ups
Abstinence from smoking for 3 consecutive months at 3-month follow-up, or for 6 consecutive months at 6-month follow-up
3-month and 6-month follow-ups
Quit attempt
Prazo: 1-, 2-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups
Abstinence for at least 24 hours
1-, 2-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups
Post-cessation weight change
Prazo: 6-month follow-up
Self-reported change in body weight (in kilograms) from baseline to follow-up
6-month follow-up
Self-reported smoking-related health conditions
Prazo: Baseline and 6-month follow-up
Answer "Yes" to experiencing any smoking-related health condition during smoking cessation or reduction
Baseline and 6-month follow-up
Self-reported mental health conditions
Prazo: Baseline and 6-month follow-up
Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4): The PHQ-4 is a 4-item ultra-brief screening tool for anxiety and depression that combines the GAD-2 and PHQ-2 subscales. Each item is scored 0-3, with a total score of 0-12; subscale scores of 3 or higher indicate positive screening and warrant further clinical assessment.
Baseline and 6-month follow-up
Chatbot user experience
Prazo: 3-month follow-up
Chatbot Usability Scale, or the 11-item Bot Usability Scale (BUS), is a validated questionnaire that evaluates chatbot usability across five dimensions (accessibility, function quality, conversation/information quality, privacy/security, and response time) using a 5-point Likert scale. The total score (11-55) is the sum of all items; a higher total score indicates better overall usability and greater user satisfaction. Higher scores on individual dimensions similarly reflect superior performance in those areas.
3-month follow-up

Colaboradores e Investigadores

É aqui que você encontrará pessoas e organizações envolvidas com este estudo.

Patrocinador

Colaboradores

Investigadores

  • Investigador principal: Man Ping Wang, The University of Hong Kong

Datas de registro do estudo

Essas datas acompanham o progresso do registro do estudo e os envios de resumo dos resultados para ClinicalTrials.gov. Os registros do estudo e os resultados relatados são revisados ​​pela National Library of Medicine (NLM) para garantir que atendam aos padrões específicos de controle de qualidade antes de serem publicados no site público.

Datas Principais do Estudo

Início do estudo (Estimado)

27 de junho de 2026

Conclusão Primária (Estimado)

30 de outubro de 2027

Conclusão do estudo (Estimado)

30 de junho de 2028

Datas de inscrição no estudo

Enviado pela primeira vez

9 de junho de 2026

Enviado pela primeira vez que atendeu aos critérios de CQ

9 de junho de 2026

Primeira postagem (Real)

15 de junho de 2026

Atualizações de registro de estudo

Última Atualização Postada (Real)

30 de junho de 2026

Última atualização enviada que atendeu aos critérios de controle de qualidade

26 de junho de 2026

Última verificação

1 de junho de 2026

Mais Informações

Termos relacionados a este estudo

Termos MeSH relevantes adicionais

Outros números de identificação do estudo

  • QTW2026

Plano para dados de participantes individuais (IPD)

Planeja compartilhar dados de participantes individuais (IPD)?

NÃO

Informações sobre medicamentos e dispositivos, documentos de estudo

Estuda um medicamento regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

Estuda um produto de dispositivo regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

Essas informações foram obtidas diretamente do site clinicaltrials.gov sem nenhuma alteração. Se você tiver alguma solicitação para alterar, remover ou atualizar os detalhes do seu estudo, entre em contato com register@clinicaltrials.gov. Assim que uma alteração for implementada em clinicaltrials.gov, ela também será atualizada automaticamente em nosso site .