Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Not yet recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07803354

Metaphor-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and participant experiences of a WeChat-delivered, metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention.

Not yet recruiting

Trial opening soon.

Get Notified

Key information

Conditions

Smoking Cessation Behavior Health Behavior Mobile Health Tobacco Use

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Beijing Normal University

Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519087, China

About this study

This randomized controlled trial evaluates a WeChat-delivered, metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention. Participants in the intervention group will receive staged cessation messages that use metaphors to explain smoking urges, nicotine dependence, behavior change, coping strategies, and relapse prevention. The intervention will also include self-monitoring, personalized feedback, and a personalized journey map to help participants recognize their progress during the cessation process.

Participants in the control group will receive brief smoking cessation advice. The study will compare the two groups in terms of smoking cessation outcomes. It will also assess participants' perceptions of the intervention, including the usefulness and comprehensibility of the metaphors, willingness to engage with the intervention, immersion in the cessation process, perceived support, and overall satisfaction.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • aged 18 and above, reside in Zhuhai for the next 6 months;
  • smoke at least 1 cigarette or use e-cigarettes daily;
  • Having a smartphone and a WeChat account, being able to use WeChat skillfully.

Exclusion criteria

  • Smokers who have communication barrier (either physically or cognitively);
  • Smokers who are currently participating in other SC programmes or services

Treatment and study plan

Metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention

Behavioral

Participants will receive a 100-day, WeChat-delivered smoking cessation intervention using metaphors such as "fog" and "restart" to describe smoking urges, nicotine dependence, and the process of behavior change. The intervention will provide staged messages on smoking-trigger identification, self-monitoring, action planning, coping strategies, environmental modification, social support, and relapse prevention, together with personalized feedback and a personalized journey map to help participants review their cessation experiences and progress.

5A's/5R's advice

Behavioral

The 5A's approach (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange) will be used for participants who are ready to quit, and the 5R's approach (Relevance, Risks, Rewards, Roadblocks, and Repetition) will be used for participants who are not ready to quit.

Health warning leaflet

Other

The health warning leaflet provides essential information on the dangers of secondhand and thirdhand smoke. It outlines how exposure to these forms of smoke can harm both smokers and non-smokers, particularly children, by increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses and other health issues.

Primary outcomes

  1. Biochemical validated quit rate at 6 months follow-up

    Time frame: 6 months follow-up

    The primary outcomes are biochemically validated quit rate (exhaled carbon monoxide < 4 ppm or salivary cotinine < 30 ng/ml)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Biochemical validated quit rate at 3 months follow-up

    Time frame: 3 months follow-up

    biochemically validated quit rate (exhaled carbon monoxide < 4 ppm or salivary cotinine < 30 ng/ml)

  2. Self-reported 7-day point prevalence quit rate

    Time frame: 3 and 6 months follow-up

    Self-reported 7-day point prevalence quit rate in the two groups

  3. Smoking reduction rate

    Time frame: 3 and 6 months follow-up

    Rate of smoking reduction by at least half of baseline amount in the two groups

  4. Eligibility rate

    Time frame: baseline

    the percentage of eligible smokers out of the total number of smokers screened

  5. Consent rate

    Time frame: baseline

    the percentage of eligible smokers who agree to participate out of the total number of eligible smokers

  6. Intervention Engagement

    Time frame: 3 months follow-up

    Participants' engagement with the intervention, including self-reported reading of WeChat cessation messages, interaction with the health assistant, and viewing of the personalized journey map.

  7. Perceived Usefulness of Metaphors

    Time frame: 3 months follow-up

    Participants' perceived usefulness of the metaphors used in the intervention. Responses will be assessed using a 7-point Likert scale.

  8. Narrative Engagement in the Smoking Cessation Journey

    Time frame: 3 months follow-up

    Participants' engagement with the journey-based intervention, including whether the staged challenge design increased their motivation to persist, whether they were interested in subsequent stages, and whether they felt immersed in the smoking cessation journey. Responses will be assessed using a 7-point Likert scale.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Xue Weng

CONTACT

[email protected]

3621259

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Beijing Normal University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Metaphor-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Sep 3, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 3, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.