Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID05188287

Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Participation in mHealth Research Among African American Smokers Using a Mixed-Methods Approach

Led by University of Oklahoma · Updated on 2026-05-01

30

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

U

University of Oklahoma

Lead Sponsor

N

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

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 app's feasibility. The total study participation is focused on the 8-week period post-quit date, with frequent assessments and feedback via the app.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

A Culturally Tailored Smartphone Application for African American Smokers

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Must identify as Black or African American
  • Must smoke at least 5 cigarettes or cigarette equivalents daily
  • Must be willing to use nicotine replacement therapy, a smartphone watch and app, and a smoking cessation counselor
  • Must be willing to quit smoking within the next 3 weeks
  • Must have a carbon monoxide level greater than 6 ppm at app activation
  • Must be physically inactive, defined as less than 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Does not give permission to administer screening survey
  • Does not understand or speak English
  • Is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Does not use tobacco products
  • Does not want to provide social security number, residency status, or employee status
  • Is not willing to abstain from smoking marijuana or cannabis during the quit attempt
  • Is not willing to upload a picture of their tobacco product
  • Is not ready to quit smoking (score 4 or lower on readiness ladder)
  • Has a medical condition preventing use of nicotine replacement therapy without healthcare provider approval
  • Has had a serious allergic reaction or side effect from nicotine replacement therapy
  • Does not give permission to collect contact information
  • Is currently physically active beyond the activity limits defined for the study

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person or remote) to assess eligibility

Treatment

Duration - 8 weeks from quit date

Participants use the HealthyCells smartphone app to support smoking cessation and reduce sedentary behavior. The app prompts twice-daily smoking status assessments with facial recognition and delivers activity prompts during prolonged sedentary periods. Motivational messages are sent twice daily to encourage quitting and physical activity.

Twice-daily remote assessments and continuous app engagement

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

TSET Health Promotion Research Center

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73118

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

A

Adam C Alexander, PhD

A

Ashley Krukowski, MPA, CRA

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

NA

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

1

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Published Research Related To This Trial

An mHealth Intervention With Financial Incentives to Promote Smoking Cessation and Physical Activity Among Black Adults: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Adam Alexander, Michael Businelle, Marshall Cheney...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39888657