Smoking CessationNCT07803354
Metaphor-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention
A study testing Metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention, 5A's/5R's advice and Health warning leaflet in people with Smoking Cessation and Mobile Health, run by Beijing Normal University at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and participant experiences of a WeChat-delivered, metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Smoking Cessation, Mobile Health
- What is being tested?
- Metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention, 5A's/5R's advice and Health warning leaflet
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 200 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2026to 31 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- aged 18 and above, reside in Zhuhai for the next 6 months;
- smoke at least 1 cigarette or use e-cigarettes daily;
- Having a smartphone and a WeChat account, being able to use WeChat skillfully.
Who cannot join
- Smokers who have communication barrier (either physically or cognitively);
- Smokers who are currently participating in other SC programmes or services
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Metaphor-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and participant experiences of a WeChat-delivered, metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled trial evaluates a WeChat-delivered, metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention. Participants in the intervention group will receive staged cessation messages that use metaphors to explain smoking urges, nicotine dependence, behavior change, coping strategies, and relapse prevention. The intervention will also include self-monitoring, personalized feedback, and a personalized journey map to help participants recognize their progress during the cessation process.
Participants in the control group will receive brief smoking cessation advice. The study will compare the two groups in terms of smoking cessation outcomes. It will also assess participants' perceptions of the intervention, including the usefulness and comprehensibility of the metaphors, willingness to engage with the intervention, immersion in the cessation process, perceived support, and overall satisfaction.
- Conditions
- Smoking Cessation, Mobile Health
- Being tested
- Metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention, 5A's/5R's advice, Health warning leaflet
- Keywords
- Metaphor-based intervention, Smoking cessation, Tobacco use
- Medical subject headings
- Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Use
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Metaphor-based smoking cessation interventionBehavioural
Participants will receive a 100-day, WeChat-delivered smoking cessation intervention using metaphors such as "fog" and "restart" to describe smoking urges, nicotine dependence, and the process of behavior change. The intervention will provide staged messages on smoking-trigger identification, self-monitoring, action planning, coping strategies, environmental modification, social support, and relapse prevention, together with personalized feedback and a personalized journey map to help participants review their cessation experiences and progress.
5A's/5R's adviceBehavioural
The 5A's approach (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange) will be used for participants who are ready to quit, and the 5R's approach (Relevance, Risks, Rewards, Roadblocks, and Repetition) will be used for participants who are not ready to quit.
Health warning leafletOther
The health warning leaflet provides essential information on the dangers of secondhand and thirdhand smoke. It outlines how exposure to these forms of smoke can harm both smokers and non-smokers, particularly children, by increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses and other health issues.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Metaphor-based intervention group | Experimental | Metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention + 5A's/5R's advice + health warning leaflet Receives: Behavioral: Metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention; Behavioral: 5A's/5R's advice; Other: Health warning leaflet |
| Control group | Active comparator | 5A's/5R's advice + health warning leaflet Receives: Behavioral: 5A's/5R's advice; Other: Health warning leaflet |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Biochemical validated quit rate at 6 months follow-up
The primary outcomes are biochemically validated quit rate (exhaled carbon monoxide < 4 ppm or salivary cotinine < 30 ng/ml)
Measured: 6 months follow-up
Secondary outcomes (8)
Biochemical validated quit rate at 3 months follow-up
biochemically validated quit rate (exhaled carbon monoxide < 4 ppm or salivary cotinine < 30 ng/ml)
Measured: 3 months follow-up
Self-reported 7-day point prevalence quit rate
Self-reported 7-day point prevalence quit rate in the two groups
Measured: 3 and 6 months follow-up
Smoking reduction rate
Rate of smoking reduction by at least half of baseline amount in the two groups
Measured: 3 and 6 months follow-up
Eligibility rate
the percentage of eligible smokers out of the total number of smokers screened
Measured: baseline
Consent rate
the percentage of eligible smokers who agree to participate out of the total number of eligible smokers
Measured: baseline
Intervention Engagement
Participants' engagement with the intervention, including self-reported reading of WeChat cessation messages, interaction with the health assistant, and viewing of the personalized journey map.
Measured: 3 months follow-up
Perceived Usefulness of Metaphors
Participants' perceived usefulness of the metaphors used in the intervention, assessed using a researcher-developed 7-point Likert-type agreement scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater perceived usefulness of the metaphors.Responses will be assessed using a 7-point Likert scale.
Measured: 3 months follow-up
Narrative Engagement in the Smoking Cessation Journey
Participants' engagement with the journey-based intervention, including whether the staged challenge design increased their motivation to persist, whether they were interested in subsequent stages, and whether they felt immersed in the smoking cessation journey. Responses will be assessed using a researcher-developed 7-point Likert-type agreement scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater engagement with the journey-based intervention.
Measured: 3 months follow-up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Sep 2026
- Study start1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Smoking CessationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Beijing Normal University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Xue Weng, Principal investigator, Beijing Normal University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07803354
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Metaphor Cessation Trial
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 31 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 9 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Metaphor-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07803354
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Metaphor Cessation Trial
- Conditions
- Smoking Cessation, Mobile Health
- Keywords
- Metaphor-based intervention, Smoking cessation, Tobacco use
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Beijing Normal UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and participant experiences of a WeChat-delivered, metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial evaluates a WeChat-delivered, metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention. Participants in the intervention group will receive staged cessation messages that use metaphors to explain smoking urges, nicotine dependence, behavior change, coping strategies, and relapse prevention. The intervention will also include self-monitoring, personalized feedback, and a personalized journey map to help participants recognize their progress during the cessation process.
Participants in the control group will receive brief smoking cessation advice. The study will compare the two groups in terms of smoking cessation outcomes. It will also assess participants' perceptions of the intervention, including the usefulness and comprehensibility of the metaphors, willingness to engage with the intervention, immersion in the cessation process, perceived support, and overall satisfaction.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Metaphor-based intervention group | Experimental | Behavioral: Metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention, Behavioral: 5A's/5R's advice, Other: Health warning leafletMetaphor-based smoking cessation intervention + 5A's/5R's advice + health warning leaflet |
| Control group | Active comparator | Behavioral: 5A's/5R's advice, Other: Health warning leaflet5A's/5R's advice + health warning leaflet |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- aged 18 and above, reside in Zhuhai for the next 6 months;
- smoke at least 1 cigarette or use e-cigarettes daily;
- Having a smartphone and a WeChat account, being able to use WeChat skillfully.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Smokers who have communication barrier (either physically or cognitively);
- Smokers who are currently participating in other SC programmes or services
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Metaphor-based smoking cessation interventionParticipants will receive a 100-day, WeChat-delivered smoking cessation intervention using metaphors such as "fog" and "restart" to describe smoking urges, nicotine dependence, and the process of behavior change. The intervention will provide staged messages on smoking-trigger identification, self-monitoring, action planning, coping strategies, environmental modification, social support, and relapse prevention, together with personalized feedback and a personalized journey map to help participants review their cessation experiences and progress. | Behavioural | Metaphor-based intervention group |
| 5A's/5R's adviceThe 5A's approach (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange) will be used for participants who are ready to quit, and the 5R's approach (Relevance, Risks, Rewards, Roadblocks, and Repetition) will be used for participants who are not ready to quit. | Behavioural | Control group, Metaphor-based intervention group |
| Health warning leafletThe health warning leaflet provides essential information on the dangers of secondhand and thirdhand smoke. It outlines how exposure to these forms of smoke can harm both smokers and non-smokers, particularly children, by increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses and other health issues. | Other | Control group, Metaphor-based intervention group |
Primary outcome
Biochemical validated quit rate at 6 months follow-up
Time frame: 6 months follow-up
The primary outcomes are biochemically validated quit rate (exhaled carbon monoxide < 4 ppm or salivary cotinine < 30 ng/ml)
8 secondary outcomes
Biochemical validated quit rate at 3 months follow-up
Time frame: 3 months follow-up
Self-reported 7-day point prevalence quit rate
Time frame: 3 and 6 months follow-up
Smoking reduction rate
Time frame: 3 and 6 months follow-up
Eligibility rate
Time frame: baseline
Consent rate
Time frame: baseline
Intervention Engagement
Time frame: 3 months follow-up
Perceived Usefulness of Metaphors
Time frame: 3 months follow-up
Narrative Engagement in the Smoking Cessation Journey
Time frame: 3 months follow-up
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Xue Weng principal investigator
Beijing Normal University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Metaphor-based smoking cessation intervention, 5A's/5R's advice and Health warning leaflet in people with Smoking Cessation and Mobile Health, run by Beijing Normal University at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Xue Weng (3621259, xueweng@bnu.edu.cn), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Biochemical validated quit rate at 6 months follow-up (time frame: 6 months follow-up). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Sep 2026.