Technology-based Interventions for Smoking Cessation: A SystematicLiterature Review

Background: Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and early death worldwide.Developing effective and scalable smoking-quitting interventions is crucial. New technologiesprovide novel opportunities that are effective in smoking cessation activities. This study aimed tosystematically identified and categorized technology-based interventions for smoking cessationactivities.Methods: A systematic review was performed by searching in PubMed and Scopus databases inSeptember ۲۰۲۲ using a defined search query. English articles of the last five years that reported atechnology-based intervention tested in a population for smoking cessation were reviewed. Thisstudy was conducted following the internationally Preferred Reporting Items for SystematicReviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Two reviewers performed study selection anddata extraction with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Qualitative data were abstractedusing a standardized form to document study and intervention characteristics and results.Results: A total of ۶۱۷ studies were initially identified. Following a review of the title, abstract,and full text, finally, forty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Types of technology used forsmoking cessation include mobile applications (n=۲۲), web programs and websites (n=۱۲),gamification (n=۴), virtual reality (VR) programs (n=۳), social media platforms (۲), Avatar-Ledprograms (۲), recommender system based on machine learning algorithm (n=۱), audiovisual media(n=۱), and personal biofeedback interventions: pivot breath sensor (n=۱). As the most commonlyused technology, smoking cessation apps are developed based on the principles of cognitivebehavioral therapy and clinical experience, scientific or empirical evidence of smoking cessation.These are mainly customized and personalized programs; that involves the following: selfreflection,changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, development of personal copingstrategies, problem-solving, and mindfulness. In most studies, technology-based interventionsresulted in high abstinence rates and participants’ satisfaction. finally, based on the challenges addressed, the suggested considerations for developing and applying technologies were classifiedinto four categories: ۱) standardizing and continuous quality assurance of programs by amultidisciplinary team of experts, ۲) customizing a quit plan, ۳) providing suitable educationalcontent and the proper VR-scenario, and ۴) tracking proper supervision during technology-basedquit smoking (access to a quit coach)Conclusion: Based on findings, digital interventions led to increased smoking abstinence and canbe a valuable solution in smoking cessation. Simultaneously with the development of technologies,it becomes necessary to develop national standards for designing and evaluating programs. Furtherresearch is required to evaluate the long-term impact of digital interventions on outcomes relatedto smoking cessation.

کلیدواژه ها:

Technology ، Digital ، Smoking Cessation ، Quitting Smoking ، Intervention