Dyadic Financial Incentive Treatments for Dual Smoker Couples (NCT06296849)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Smokers partnered with other smokers (i.e., dual-smoker couples) represent \~2/3 of all smokers. Dual-smoker couples (DSCs) are less likely to try to quit smoking and more likely to relapse during a quit attempt, reducing overall smoking cessation rates and representing a high-risk clinical population. Despite their high prevalence and risk for persistent smoking, however, there are limited data on smoking cessation interventions among DSCs. Building on previous research that suggests a) financial incentive treatments (FITs) are effective at increasing quit rates and b) dyadic adaptations of FITs are feasible for implementation in DSCs, the proposed study will systematically two versions of FITs to enhance smoking cessation among DSCs. In addition to determining the efficacy of these dyadic FITs for smoking abstinence in DSCs, the investigators will consider the cost and cost effectiveness of each adaptation as well as mechanisms of change to inform future implementation research. The investigators will additionally consider secondary outcomes including abstinence during treatment and long-term abstinence maintenance after end of treatment. The investigators will address these questions in a three-group randomized controlled trial (RCT). In all conditions, individuals who have smoking partners (i.e., targets) will receive usual care (combination fast and slow acting Nicotine Replacement Therapy + quitting resources). In two conditions, participants will receive incentives for abstinence at three time points (1, 3, and 6 months post-baseline). In the SFIT condition, only the target in a couple will be offered incentives; in the DFIT condition, both target and partner will be offered incentives. Primary efficacy outcome is % point-prevalence abstinence at 6 months post-baseline among targets. Secondary outcomes are point-prevalence abstinence at 1 and 3 months during the treatment and 6 months post-treatment (12-months post-baseline), as well as partner outcomes. The investigators will evaluate possible mechanisms of change including partner support and individual and partner motivation to quit as well as evaluate the cost and relative cost of each abstainer within and across condition. These data on the efficacy, mechanisms, and costs of FITs for DSCs will inform population level implementation and promote successful quitting in this treatment refractory population.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (1 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (2 items).
Location: University of Georgia — Athens, Georgia
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- 1\) less than 8th grade capacity to read and write in English; 2) recent hospitalization (past 6 months) 3) psychosis risk; 4) regular (4+ days weekly) use of e-cigarettes; 5) Contra-indication for NRT (e.g., pregnancy, heart disease); 6) Marijuana use. Inclusion and exclusion criteria apply to both members of each couple; both members of each couple must be eligible for the target to enroll.
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (2 Sites)
- University of Georgia — Athens, Georgia
- University of Oklahoma Health Campus — Tulsa, Oklahoma
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.