Dyadic Financial Incentive Treatments for Dual Smoker Couples
Randomized Controlled Trial of Dyadic Financial Incentive Treatments for Dual Smoker Couples: Evaluation of Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Cost Effectiveness (1R01CA276594-01A1)
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 1\) age of 18+; 2) smoking of 5+ cigarettes/day; 3) relationship status of married to or living with a daily smoker of 5+ cigarettes who is also above the age of 18; and 4) romantic relationship duration of at least six months. 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.
About the study
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.
What is being tested
- Financial Incentive Treatment (FIT) (behavioral)
Sponsor: University of Oklahoma · Participants: 900 · Started: Jan 18, 2024
Contact the study team
- Michelle R vanDellen, PhD · Phone: 762-499-4263
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06296849
Locations in the U.S.
| Oklahoma | University of Oklahoma Health Campus, Tulsa |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.