NCT07007195

Smart Olfaction App to Reduce Relapse

An Innovative Digitally-Delivered Olfactory Method for Reducing Cigarette Cravings and Supporting Smoking Cessation

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: EARLY_Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 132 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Houston · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The proposed project aims to refine and test a novel biobehavioral smoking cessation intervention that integrates the strategic application of olfactory stimulation to reduce cigarette craving with an established smartphone-based smoking cessation application. The specific aims of this study are: (1) refine the design and methodology of our olfactory stimulation delivery system (OSDS) and (2) compare, in a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), the effects of a smartphone based app for smoking cessation (Smart-T) with and without the OSDS on smoking cessation outcomes.

Detailed description

The objective of the current trial is to refine a novel biobehavioral smoking cessation intervention that integrates the strategic application of olfactory stimulation to reduce cigarette cravings (olfactory stimulation delivery system; OSDS) and then to test the OSDS as an adjunctive support for smoking cessation when integrated with an established smartphone-based smoking cessation application (Smart-T). The study will be conducted in two phases. Phase I will consist of a crossover, micro-randomized controlled trial to inform methodology for odor administration and examine the effects of OSDS on craving reduction. Treatment-seeking smokers (N=32) will engage in a self-guided quit attempt and use the OSDS for 14 days. Using a crossover randomization design, participants will complete 7 days of ad libitum OSDS use and 7 days of instructed OSDS use. Participants will complete an initial online pre-screener, an enrollment call, a baseline survey via the app, a randomization call, and 5 daily EMAs during the study. At the end of Phase I, participants will complete a qualitative interview over Zoom and a quantitative survey in the app to assess their experiences. Phase II will be a RCT in which participants (N=100) will be randomized to either (1) Smart-T with a nicotine patch (Smart-T) or (2) Smart-T with a nicotine patch and OSDS as an adjunctive feature (Smart-T+O). Participants will complete a baseline assessment, daily EMAs for 13 weeks (1-week pre-quit and 12 weeks post-quit), a follow-up assessment at 12 weeks post-quit via the app, and a qualitative interview over Zoom. All participants will have access to Smart-T intervention materials for smoking cessation. Smoking status will be biochemically verified at multiple time points using a Carbon Monoxide monitor, which will be mailed to participants along with usage instructions.

Conditions

• Nicotine Dependence

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Ad Libitum Use followed by Instructed Use of the Inspire Device	Participants in this condition will use the novel olfactory stimulation delivery system (Inspire), to smell a specific order designed to assist with smoking cessation for 7 days. Participants will then be instructed to record every urge to smoke and report times when they think they might smoke in the smartphone-based smoking cessation app, Insight™. When urges above 0 are reported, the app will instruct participants to use the Inspire device. On day 8, participants will receive a notification on the smartphone-based smoking cessation app, Insight™, to switch to the Instructed Use condition. Participants will then be instructed to use the Inspire device only when participants report a cigarette craving above 0 at each of the surveys prompted from the smartphone-based smoking cessation app, Insight™.
DEVICE	Instructed Use followed by Ad Libitum Use of the Inspire Device	Participants in this condition will use the novel olfactory stimulation delivery system (Inspire), to smell a specific order designed to assist with smoking cessation for 7 days. Participants will be instructed to use the Inspire device only when participants report a cigarette craving above 0 at each of the surveys prompted from the smartphone-based smoking cessation app, Insight™. On day 8, participants will receive a notification on the smartphone-based smoking cessation app, Insight™, to switch to the Ad Libitum condition. Participants will then control how often they use Inspire and will be instructed to record every urge to smoke and report times when they think they might smoke in the smartphone-based smoking cessation app, Insight™.
DEVICE	Smart-T Smoking Cessation App with the Inspire Device Condition	Smart-T provides content during the pre-quit and post-quit periods to prepare and support participants during their quit attempts. Smart-T app contains multiple components, including an EMA delivery and data transfer system, automated messages based on EMA responses, and on-demand content. Participants will use Smart-T for 13 weeks. Participants will also use the Inspire device.
DEVICE	Smart-T Smoking Cessation App Without the Inspire Device Condition	Smart-T provides content during the pre-quit and post-quit periods to prepare and support participants during their quit attempts. Smart-T app contains multiple components, including an EMA delivery and data transfer system, automated messages based on EMA responses, and on-demand content. Participants will use Smart-T for 13 weeks.
DRUG	Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)	NRT patches will be provided to assist with cravings and withdrawal symptoms following the quit attempts.
DEVICE	Inspire Device	The Inspire Device is a novel olfactory stimulation delivery system. It is a self-contained system with seven sealed chambers, with six gel matrix's that contain a distinct odor and one odorless gel matrix. Participants will press a button on the device to release an odor for participants to smell.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-23
• Primary completion: 2027-08-31
• Completion: 2027-08-31
• First posted: 2025-06-05
• Last updated: 2026-03-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated drug study