Study comparing two stop smoking intervention efficacies
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN23584477 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN23584477 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | NCT02855255 |
| Protocol serial number | RC7697 |
| Sponsors | London South Bank University, Allen Carr's Easyway (International) Ltd, London South Bank University |
| Funder | Allen Carr's Easyway (International) Ltd |
- Submission date
- 30/08/2016
- Registration date
- 28/09/2016
- Last edited
- 12/02/2020
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Smoking continues to be a major health problem in the UK. Every year around 100,000 people in the UK die from smoking, with many more living with debilitating smoking-related illnesses. Smoking increases your risk of developing more than 50 serious health conditions, including cancer, heart disease and lung disease. It is important to understand the effectiveness of the various interventions designed to help people quit. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two stop smoking interventions amongst people living and working in the Lambeth and Southwark boroughs of London.
Who can participate?
Current smokers aged over 18 living and working in the Lambeth and Southwark boroughs of London.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Participants in one group attend Allen Carr's Easyway to stop smoking programme, which consists of one 5/6-hour group session, plus one or two 3-hour booster sessions over the following 3 months for those who require them. Participants in the other group attend a 1-1 counselling service available via the NHS, consisting of one 30-minute session and four weekly follow-ups of 10-15 minutes. The effectiveness of both treatments is followed up at 4, 12 and 24 weeks after treatment. Participants’ success at stopping smoking is confirmed by breath testing. Participants’ continued use of nicotine-containing products (e.g. e-cigarettes, nicotine replacement products) and life satisfaction are also assessed.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The results of this study will add to the evidence around the use of the Allen Carr method. The Allen Carr method has yet to be NICE approved. We ensure that participants are aware of this and offer them NHS treatment before joining the study, and also offer them an NHS referral if they fail to quit during the study. Participants need to attend treatment and follow-up sessions, which may be an inconvenience. We ensure participants can schedule appointments at evenings and weekends, and are compensated for travel costs and time.
Where is the study run from?
London South Bank University (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2016 to January 2018
Who is funding the study?
Allen Carr's Easyway (International) Ltd
Who is the main contact?
Dr Daniel Frings
Contact information
Scientific
London South Bank University
103 Borough Road
London
SE1 0AA.
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-0183-9516 |
|---|
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre, blinded between subjects, two-armed randomised controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Comparing the 24-week efficacy of Allen Carr's Easyway to stop smoking and NHS 1-1 counselling provision amongst people living and working in the Lambeth and Southwark boroughs of London |
| Study objectives | By comparing the Allen Carr's Easyway (ACE) method to a NHS-delivered treatment program, an estimate of the relative effectiveness of both methods (and associated costs) can be made. This will potentially inform future judgements about the use of this method by private and public healthcare providers. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Submitted to Fulham Research Ethics Committee, London - pending |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Smoking |
| Intervention | Participants are randomly allocated to either Allen Carr's Easyway to stop smoking programme or NHS 1-1 counselling service, using an adaptive randomisation programme to balance levels of prior smoking, number of prior quit attempts, age and gender. 1. Allen Carr's Easyway to stop smoking programme comprises one 5/6 hour group session (plus one or two 3 hour booster sessions over the following 3 months for those who require them) 2. The 1-1 counselling service available via the NHS comprises one 30-minute session and four weekly follow-ups of 10-15 minutes. The efficacy of both treatments will be followed up at 4, 12 and 24 weeks after treatment. The evaluation will be compliant with the Russell 6 Standard (which requires, amongst other things, a double blind, randomised design, chemical verification of quit outcomes, and the inclusion of all participants who received treatment in the final analysis). The research team will also be blinded to participants' condition. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Cessation of smoking 24 weeks post treatment commencement, measured in line with the Russell 6 standard (i.e. fewer than 5 incidents of smoking from the quit date, including all participants lost to follow-up as failed treatment, and confirming all successful quits via breath carbon monoxide testing). The intention to treat principle will be followed and those lost to follow-up will be considered failed quit. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Self-reported maintenance of smoking cessation questions, measured at 4, 12, 24 weeks post treatment commencement; current cessation, number of slips, number of cigarettes in past week/month/since last session. |
| Completion date | 31/07/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 620 |
| Total final enrolment | 620 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Current smoker aged over 18 2. Resident or work in Lambeth/Southwark areas 3. Prepared to be assigned randomly to one of two treatment conditions (NHS standard provision or Allen Carr's Easyway) 4. Intend to quit smoking cigarettes |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Individuals who would prefer an NHS-provided treatment 2. Currently in another RCT or similar research project 3. Have a mental health condition 4. Are pregnant 5. Have a respiratory disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema) 6. Unable to reach the treatment locations (London South Bank Universities Southwark Campus or SW20) |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/01/2017 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/01/2018 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
London
SE1 0AA
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Stored in repository |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 01/05/2020 | 12/02/2020 | Yes | No |
| Protocol article | protocol | 14/12/2017 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
12/02/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
21/02/2018: The overall trial end date has been updated from 31/01/2018 to 31/07/2018. The study is currently in a follow-up phase which will finish on 31/05/2018. The intention to publish date has been updated from 31/01/2019 to 31/08/2019.
15/02/2018: Publication reference added.
