A recent pilot test published in the Journal of Substance Abuse & Addiction Treatment shows promising results for a new app designed to aid smoking cessation among Hispanic smokers. The app, known as Impacto, created by Michael Zvolensky, Distinguished University Professor of psychology, aims to tackle the significant challenges and health risks faced by this demographic when attempting to quit smoking.
Zvolensky highlights that Hispanic individuals often encounter a range of obstacles that make quitting smoking more difficult, including limited access to treatment and the chronic stress associated with racial and ethnic discrimination. The Impacto app is specifically designed to address these stressors, offering a culturally-sensitive approach to smoking cessation.
During the pilot study, 30 Hispanic smokers with an average age of 31 and a history of over 15 years of daily smoking participated. Each user engaged with the app’s structured program, which includes four lessons per week for eight weeks. Key features of the program include interoceptive exercises that help participants become more aware of their bodily sensations and manage anxiety that often arises when quitting. These exercises can involve physical activities aimed at familiarizing users with feelings such as a racing heartbeat, which can mitigate anxiety.
The results are encouraging, with over 65% of participants reporting abstinence from smoking four weeks after their designated quit day. Additionally, there were significant reductions in the number of cigarettes smoked daily and in anxiety sensitivity levels among users.
The app is set to undergo further evaluation in a forthcoming randomized controlled clinical trial across the United States, aiming to validate its effectiveness. Collaborations for the pilot study included reputable institutions such as The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Bristol Myers Squibb, indicating a strong backing for this innovative approach.
This development represents a hopeful advancement in smoking cessation resources, especially tailored for Hispanic communities, potentially reducing health disparities and fostering healthier lifestyles.
Summary: The Impacto app has shown success in helping Hispanic smokers decrease their smoking rates and improve cessation success, addressing unique challenges faced by this group. Encouraging results from the pilot study set the stage for broader clinical evaluations and a hopeful outlook for public health interventions.