University develops Spanish-language app aiding Hispanic smokers

University of Houston researchers have developed a unique Android app named Impacto, aimed at helping Hispanic smokers quit by providing guidance tailored to their cultural experiences. The app is designed to address stress and anxiety, factors that can complicate the quitting process.

The pilot test results, published in the Journal of Substance Abuse & Addiction Treatment, suggest that Impacto effectively reduces daily smoking rates and enhances smoking cessation efforts. "Hispanic individuals who smoke face greater challenges in quitting and a higher risk of smoking-related health problems than the general population," stated Michael Zvolensky, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Professor of psychology, who developed the app.

Zvolensky further explained that these challenges are often due to limited access to treatment and chronic stress from racial and ethnic discrimination. Richard A. Brown from Health Behavior Solutions, Inc., co-leads the project alongside Zvolensky.

Impacto focuses on managing anxiety during the quitting process by teaching users exercises that increase awareness of physical symptoms and negative emotions associated with anxiety. In a pilot study involving 30 Hispanic smokers with an average age of 31 years old and long smoking histories, participants were guided through weekly lessons over eight weeks.

In the first week, users learned interoceptive exercises like spinning in a chair or doing jumping jacks to help them become accustomed to sensations such as a racing heartbeat. "Participants practice the interoceptive exercises daily and prior to their quit attempt," said Zvolensky. These practices aim to reduce emotional responsiveness to stressors related to quitting.

The official quit day was set for the end of week four. "Results indicated that Impacto had a positive impact on smoking abstinence with over half of the sample (65.4%) reporting smoking abstinence 4-weeks post-quit," Zvolensky reported. He added that cigarette consumption per day and anxiety sensitivity levels significantly decreased from baseline through four weeks post-quit.

The app demonstrated high feasibility, acceptability, and engagement rates among participants. Following these promising results, Impacto will undergo evaluation in a rigorous randomized control clinical trial across the United States.

Collaborators on this project include The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston; The University of Texas at Austin; and Bristol Myers Squibb.