The non-concealed placebo: a randomized trial on smoking cessation

ISRCTN ISRCTN64013828
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN64013828
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
24/02/2016
Registration date
08/03/2016
Last edited
25/09/2017
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
This study would like to find out if a non-deceptive non-concealed placebo patch (that is a patch that contains no active ingredients) will help people reduce the number of cigarettes that they smoke. A placebo is something that looks like a real medical treatment, but isn’t. It could be a pill for example, or another type of “fake” treatment. Placebos do not contain any active substances that have been developed to improve health. Researchers often use placebos to help them understand the effects of a new treatment (by comparing the effects on participants taking the new drug with those taking the placebo). However, some people do respond to a placebo. This Is referred to the placebo effect and there are some cases where it happens even when a person knows that they are taking a placebo. It is seen as a possible explanation for why some patients have a greater chance of a good outcome when given a dummy pill rather than being given nothing at all. It is also a possible explanation of why some patients still believe in treatments that are known not to work or are not clinically proven. This could be due to belief or the powers of suggestion, which might be a very important aspect of a treatment. This study looks at whether given a patch known to be a placebo to smokers helps them to reduce the number of cigarettes that they smoke.

Who can participate?
Adults that have smoked for at least 2 years and want to stop smoking.

What does the study involve?
All participants are told before starting the study that the best way to stop smoking (and therefore reduce their dependence on nicotine) is to reduce the number of cigarettes that they smoke over time. Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in group 1 (the placebo patch group) are given a 56 day supply of placebo smoking cessation patches. They are all told that the patches are placebos and are monitored for 56 days to see whether they reduce the number of cigarettes that they smoke. Those in group 2 (control group) are not given any patches but are also monitored for 56 days to see whether they reduce the number of cigarettes that they smoke.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
It is possible that participating in this study will help in reducing the number of cigarettes that a person smokes. The main risk to participating is nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Where is the study run from?
University of Santo Tomas (Philippines)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2015 to October 2015

Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded (Philippines)

Who is the main contact?
Mr Kevyn Yu

Contact information

Mr Kevyn Yu
Public

Pharmacy Department Chairs Office
University of Santo Tomas
Main Building
España, Quezon Dr
Sampaloc, Manila
1008
Philippines

Study information

Study designOpen-label randomized interventional
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Community
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleAn open-label randomized interventional study to assess the effect of placebo smoking cessation patches versus no treatment on nicotine dependence scores of adult Filipino smokers
Study objectivesHo: There would be no significant difference in the delta FTND (Fagerstrom test for Nicotine Dependence) scores between placebo treatments as compared to no treatment
Hi: There would be a significant difference in the delta FTND scores between a placebo patch treatment as compared to no treatment

This study asks the question: How significant is the difference in FTND score delta when a placebo is suggested as a Smoking cessation agent versus no treatment at all?
Ethics approval(s)University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Pharmacy Ethics Review Committee, 07/07/2015
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedSmoking addiction
InterventionThere were two arms in the study, the placebo patch group and the control group.

1. Both groups:
1.1. Gave informed consent
1.2. Were within the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study
1.3. Were told that the safe way to decrease nicotine dependence,was to incrementally reduce cigarette smoking with time
1.4. Data gathering by a blinded assessor

2. Placebo patch group:
2.1. Were given 56 day supply of placebo smoking cessation patches
2.2. Were told to apply the patches daily for 56 days
2.3. Were explicitly told that the patches given were placebos and had no active ingredient but were for reducing nicotine dependence
2.4. Were monitored for a 56 day period, with data gathering for nicotine dependence on days 0, 28 and 56

3. Control group were monitored for a 56 day period, with data gathering for nicotine dependence on days 0, 28 and 56
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureNicotine dependence, measured using the Fagerstrom test for Nicotine Dependence(FTND) at 0,28 and 56 days after provision of patches
Secondary outcome measuresCigarettes per day, measured at 0,28 and 56 days after provision of patches
Overall study start date15/01/2015
Completion date29/10/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Mixed
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants80
Key inclusion criteria1.18 years or older
2. Male or female
3. Current smoker for 2 years
4. Very willing to quit smoking when assessed with 5 point commitment scale
5. Willing to use the placebo patch for a period of 2 months
6. Ethnically Filipino and currently residing in Sampaloc, Manila
7. Has signed the informed consent form and is aware of the purpose of the study
Key exclusion criteria1. Taking other smoking cessation treatment/ treatments (e.g. nicotine patches or gum)
2. Is under or have underwent smoking cessation counseling
Date of first enrolment10/07/2015
Date of final enrolment29/07/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Philippines

Study participating centre

University of Santo Tomas
España, Quezon Dr
Sampaloc, Manila
1008
Philippines

Sponsor information

University of Santo Tomas
University/education

Faculty of Pharmacy (ethics review committee)
España, Quezon Dr
Sampaloc, Manila
1008
Philippines

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00d25af97

Funders

Funder type

Other

Investigator initiated and funded

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date29/02/2016
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot expected to be made available
Publication and dissemination planPlos One
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

25/09/2017: Internal review.