RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Increasing Smoking Cessation Success Through Sleep-amplified Memory Consolidation

This study aims to find better ways to help people quit smoking. Researchers are investigating whether combining a standard stop-smoking program with special brain training (like chess-based exercises) and improving sleep (through high-intensity exercise in the evening) can make it easier to quit. They want to see if these methods work on their own or even better when combined. Participants will use smartphone apps for the brain training and exercises, and researchers will monitor their brain activity and sleep. The goal is to see if these different approaches can help people control their urges to smoke more effectively, leading to greater success in stopping smoking.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim

Enrolment target

140

Start

01 Apr 2024

Estimated completion

30 Jun 2026

Tobacco Use Disorder

What is this study about?

This study is looking for better ways to help people stop smoking. We already know that focusing on quitting smoking can be really tough, and researchers are trying to boost the chances of success. They believe that if we can improve how our brains control impulses and make decisions, it might be easier to resist smoking.

In this study, they're exploring two main ideas to help improve this brain control: first, a special kind of brain training, like learning and playing chess, which can help sharpen your thinking skills. Second, they're looking at improving sleep quality through specific exercise. The idea is that better sleep might help your brain process and remember what you've learned during the brain training, making it even more effective for quitting.

Participants will be placed into different groups, trying combinations of a standard stop-smoking program with either the brain training, the sleep-improving exercise, or both. They'll mainly use smartphone apps for these extra activities, which means you can do them at home. Researchers will also use special scans to look at brain activity and monitor sleep to understand how these methods are working inside your body.

Key takeaways

This study explores new ways to help people quit smoking.
It combines a standard stop-smoking program with brain training (like chess) and evening exercise.
The extra activities are delivered through smartphone apps, making them easy to access.
Researchers will monitor brain activity and sleep to see how these methods work.
You might get help to quit smoking and contribute to important research.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a regular smoker with a significant tobacco addiction and be between 18 and 65 years old. You must be able to understand information and communicate well, as well as fill out questionnaires. It's also important that you are right-handed and healthy enough to do energetic exercise safely, which will be checked by a doctor.

There are certain reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. These include having serious long-term health problems like severe heart conditions, serious brain injuries, or other major mental health conditions (though mild depression or anxiety are usually okay). You also can't have certain metals in your body that would prevent you from having an MRI scan, or have used certain recreational drugs or strong psychiatric medications recently. This study is not for pregnant individuals.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Do you currently have a significant addiction to tobacco?
Are you able to read, understand, and fill out forms?
Are you right-handed?
Are you generally healthy enough for energetic exercise (a doctor will check this)?
Have you been free from serious mental health problems (other than mild depression/anxiety) for the last year?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part, you'll first have a medical check-up to make sure the energetic exercise is safe for you. You'll also have some brain scans (fMRI) and your sleep will be monitored. You'll then be put into one of four groups: a standard stop-smoking program; the program plus brain training through an app; the program plus evening high-intensity exercise through an app; or the program plus both the brain training and the exercise. The brain training and exercise will be done using smartphone apps. The total duration of your participation will be explained to you in detail.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer you a new approach to help you quit smoking, potentially leading to better health. You will also be contributing to scientific understanding that could help others in the future. As with any exercise, there's a small risk of injury, which is why a medical check is done first. There are no known risks with the brain training or the MRI scans, though some people find MRI scans a bit uncomfortable. You can choose to stop participating in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Klinik für Abhängiges Verhalten, Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit
Verified postcode
Mannheim, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Tobacco Use Disorder?

It's the medical term for being addicted to tobacco products, meaning you have a strong urge to use them and find it hard to stop.

What is 'chess-based training'?

It involves computer-based exercises, similar to playing chess, designed to improve your thinking and decision-making skills.

What is 'high-intensity interval training (HIIT)'?

It's a type of exercise that involves short bursts of intense activity followed by brief rest periods. In this study, it's done in the evening to explore its effect on sleep.

Will I have to pay to join this study?

No, you will not have to pay to participate in this research study.

What is an fMRI scan?

It's a special type of scan that looks at brain activity while you're doing certain tasks. It's safe and doesn't use radiation.

How to find out more

Sabine Vollstädt-Klein, Prof. Dr.

s.vollstaedt-klein@zi-mannheim.de +49-621/1703 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.