Tobacco Use Disorder

This research aims to understand the views of teachers, parents, and students on preventing substance abuse among adolescents and to develop a school-based prevention program. The study evaluates the effectiveness of a bilingual, multicomponent training called the School-based Substance abuse Prevention Programme SSPP designed to improve awareness, attitudes, resistance to peer pressure, and life skills related to substance abuse prevention among adolescents aged 13 to 15 years in selected public schools of Pokhara, Nepal. The SSPP intervention includes four modules delivered to the experimental group psychoeducation with video-assisted teaching and informational booklets to raise awareness role play and case-based scenarios to foster positive attitudes and peer pressure resistance storytelling on life skills like problem solving and emotion management and demonstrations on communication, decision making, creative thinking, and stress management. The control group does not receive the intervention during the study but is given information booklets and video teaching after the posttest. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months for changes in awareness, attitudes, peer pressure resistance, and life skills related to substance abuse prevention. Data collection involves focus group discussions for initial qualitative insights and cluster randomization of schools for the trial. The study includes 210 adolescents and tracks demographic factors and family history potentially related to substance abuse. The total study duration extends through these follow-up points to measure the programs impact.

Smoking negatively affects many organs and gradually worsens health, especially lung function. It causes mild airway obstruction and slows lung growth, impacting breathing and overall quality of life. This study evaluates balloon-blowing exercises combined with abdominal and lumbar core muscle activation positions to see if they can improve lung function and quality of life in smokers. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one will perform balloon-blowing exercises with abdominal and lumbar core muscle activation three times a week for four weeks, supervised by a physical therapist. The other group will perform diaphragmatic breathing exercises with the same frequency and duration. Both interventions last four weeks, with measurements taken before and after. Participants will undergo evaluations of lung function including forced vital capacity FVC, forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1, peak expiratory flow PEF, dyspnea levels, oxygen saturation, and quality of life assessments. These measures will be collected at the start and end of the four-week period to monitor changes and effects of the exercises on respiratory health.

Researchers are studying how bite force and bone turnover markers change during the retention phase after orthodontic treatment in patients with different vertical facial growth patterns. The study compares patients with vertical hyperdivergent and horizontal hypodivergent craniofacial growth to understand relapse and bone remodeling processes over a 12-month retention period. This prospective clinical trial aims to provide insights into maintaining teeth alignment using retention appliances after fixed orthodontic treatment. The trial includes two groups of patients who have completed fixed orthodontic treatment and are ready for retainer delivery. Group 1 consists of patients with vertical growth patterns FMA 26 or more, while Group 2 includes those with horizontal growth patterns FMA 24 or less. Both groups will receive a Beggs retainer formed conventionally and delivered within 24 hours of debonding. Changes in bite force will be measured using a bite force device, and bone turnover markers CTX bone resorption and BALP bone formation will be assessed using ELISA at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after retainer delivery. Participants will undergo bite force measurements and biomarker testing at five timepoints during the 12 months retention phase at retainer delivery, then after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Data on bone turnover markers and bite force changes will be collected and compared between the two groups. The study includes monitoring of functional occlusion, oral hygiene, and retainer compliance. The total participation time spans 12 months, during which researchers will assess both clinical and biochemical indicators of bone remodeling and bite function after orthodontic treatment.

Researchers are evaluating the use of psilocybin, a 5-HT2A receptor agonist, for helping adults with tobacco use disorder quit smoking. This phase 2, multi-site, double-blind, randomized clinical trial involves 66 participants across four experienced research sites. The study aims to compare psilocybin with niacin, an active placebo, both combined with cognitive behavior therapy CBT, to assess smoking cessation effectiveness and related cognitive changes over 12 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either oral psilocybin or oral niacin in two sessions spaced one week apart. Psilocybin doses are 30 mg in the first session and either 30 mg or 40 mg in the second, depending on responses to a mystical experience questionnaire. Niacin doses are 150 mg in the first session and either 150 mg or 200 mg in the second, following the same dosing schedule. Both groups receive CBT alongside the medication sessions to support quitting smoking. During the study, participants will undergo assessments including cognitive control tasks and questionnaires about smoking urges at screening and shortly after a target quit date. Smoking abstinence will be biochemically confirmed and measured for up to 12 months. Safety and health status will be monitored through interviews, physical exams, ECGs, and lab tests. The trial also investigates psychological factors that may influence quitting success, with overall participation lasting about one year.

Researchers are studying ways to improve treatment decisions for smokers who find it hard to quit using medications. This trial compares different approaches including nicotine replacement therapies patches and lozenges, varenicline, and harm reduction products like e-cigarettes. The goal is to find better strategies to help smokers quit by adjusting treatments based on early response. Participants will receive free treatment products for 12 weeks. Initially, they will be randomized to either varenicline or combination nicotine replacement therapy. After 4 weeks, based on their success in quitting, they may continue the same medication or switch to the other option. At 8 weeks, those still not successful may either continue their current medication or switch to e-cigarettes. No products are provided after 12 weeks. The study includes an additional survey at 6 months after the first phone call. All visits and assessments are done remotely, with a total of 8 surveys completed over the 6-month study period. Researchers will measure quitting success at 8 weeks as the primary outcome and assess dependence and longest quit attempt duration at 12 weeks. Participants are monitored through surveys without in-person visits, making participation convenient and accessible.

Researchers are studying cigarette smokers to compare the effects of tobacco-flavored electronic cigarettes ECs, non-tobacco flavored ECs, and nicotine replacement therapy NRT on smoking habits. The study aims to understand how different EC flavors impact appeal, use, cigarette craving, withdrawal symptoms, motivation, and cigarette smoking behavior. The trial is sponsored by Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and explores how these options may influence smoking dependence and cessation efforts. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups preferred flavor ECs PEC, tobacco-flavored ECs TEC, or NRT involving nicotine patches and lozenges. Each group receives their assigned products for 14 weeks, including a 2-week pre-switch period to get familiar with usage. Throughout the study, participants engage in discussions, and after the 14-week treatment period, they enter a 12-week surveillance phase to monitor continued use and outcomes. During the trial, researchers will assess cigarette smoking patterns, including switching rates and abstinence, cigarette craving, withdrawal symptoms, nicotine dependence, and product appeal. Data will be collected at various time points up to 26 weeks. Participants will also be monitored for the number of days they use the products and whether they continue EC use after the treatment phase. The study collects information through questionnaires and biochemical verification, aiming to understand the impact of these interventions on smoking behavior over time.

Researchers are studying people who use intravenous drugs PWIDs to understand how often needle fragments remain in the body after injecting drugs and what factors contribute to this condition. Retained needle fragments can cause local pain, infections, or serious complications like needle emboli to the heart or lungs. The study aims to be the first large investigation into the frequency and risks of needle fragment retention among PWIDs, focusing on those receiving outpatient care at drug abuse service units. Participants will complete a questionnaire covering their drug use history, injection sites, and any related local symptoms. They will then undergo targeted low-dose X-ray imaging of common injection areas to detect retained needle fragments. Female participants under 50 will have a pregnancy test before imaging. The study includes an initial pilot with 20 participants to refine procedures, followed by recruitment of up to 100 total participants. During the study, researchers will collect information through questionnaires and X-ray imaging to identify needle fragment retention and related risk factors. They will also track how many participants have fragments surgically removed within five years after detection. The study involves outpatient volunteers who are currently in treatment and will last up to five years for follow-up of surgical outcomes and mortality risks associated with retained fragments.

This research aims to develop and test a culturally tailored smartphone app called HealthyCells to help African American smokers quit smoking and reduce sedentary behavior. African Americans have higher quit attempts but lower success rates compared to other groups. By integrating two proven smartphone interventions, the study seeks to address barriers and promote cessation and activity using tailored content that considers cultural strengths and challenges. HealthyCells combines a smoking cessation app with features like facial recognition to verify smoking status twice daily using carbon monoxide breath samples, and activity monitoring via a Google smartwatch. The app sends real-time prompts to encourage movement after 30 minutes of sitting and delivers motivational messages twice daily to support quitting and reduce sedentary time. The study includes a pilot phase with 15 African American smokers to refine the app, followed by a main phase where 30 participants will use HealthyCells during a planned quit attempt. Participants will engage in smoking status assessments and activity monitoring remotely, with rewards for abstinence based on biochemical verification at 8 weeks. Sedentary time will be measured by accelerometer for 7 days before quitting and 7 days at 8 weeks post-quit. The research team will evaluate smoking abstinence rates and changes in sedentary behavior to determine the apps feasibility. The total study participation is focused on the 8-week period post-quit date, with frequent assessments and feedback via the app.

This trial studies young adults aged 18 to 30 who use electronic cigarettes regularly and aims to evaluate a smartphone app called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT on Vaping. This digital therapy is designed to help young adults quit vaping by promoting awareness of triggers and teaching skills tailored to their readiness to quit. The study focuses on supporting abstinence from all nicotine and tobacco products using accessible digital methods preferred by this age group. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group uses the ACT on Vaping app with additional text messages to encourage quitting, along with incentivized text check-ins at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 4 months. The other group uses a version of the app with health education content and receives the same incentivized check-ins. After the intervention period, participants are followed up at 3, 5.5, and 6 months to assess vaping status and abstinence. During the study, participants complete regular surveys through the app and text messages to track their vaping habits and readiness to quit. The main outcome measured is abstinence from nicotine and tobacco confirmed by cotinine tests at 6 months. Additional outcomes include self-reported vaping abstinence, quit attempts, and changes in motivation to quit. The study involves using smartphones, responding to texts, and completing questionnaires over several months, with all procedures conducted in English and requiring access to mobile data or WiFi.

Researchers are evaluating a new smartphone app called IndigeQuit to help American Indians and Alaska Natives AIANs quit smoking, comparing it to the existing National Cancer Institute NCI QuitGuide app. AIANs face much higher rates of smoking-related cancers and deaths compared to other groups, often due to limited access to effective cessation interventions. This trial aims to test whether the IndigeQuit app, designed to teach skills for coping with urges and preventing relapse, is more effective in supporting smoking cessation for this population. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one uses the IndigeQuit app, which involves creating a personalized quit plan, completing eight content levels, accessing on-demand help, and tracking daily smoking for at least 45 days the other group uses the NCI QuitGuide app for at least the same duration. After completing the intervention period, participants are followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months to assess ongoing smoking status and app effects. During the study, participants provide information through surveys and may contribute biospecimens for ancillary studies. Researchers measure smoking abstinence rates, focusing on 30-day abstinence at 12 months as the primary outcome, with additional assessments at earlier intervals. The study lasts over a year with multiple follow-up points, ensuring detailed monitoring of smoking behavior changes and app engagement.