Text Messaging\u27s Impact on an Evidence Based Medicine Tobacco Cessation Program

The leading preventable cause of death in the United States continues to be tobacco use, which is a major global health issue responsible for six million deaths each year with projections by 2030 to exceed eight million. Approximately 90% of adults own a mobile phone, and over 80% receive and/or send text messages on a regular basis. Healthcare’s acceptance and increased utilization of information technology including mobile phone platforms have expanded research opportunities in the field to not only gather data, but to create it. This randomized trial analyzes the impact of adding motivational interviewing (MI) focused text messages to an evidence based medicine (EBM) tobacco cessation program. Subjects were randomized in the context of a controlled setting into three groups: active; passive; and control. Data was analyzed from the perspective of intent-to-treat. Findings from this randomized trial indicate that MI focused text messages may in combination with an EBM tobacco cessation program positively impact tobacco quit rates