Institute of Medical Science, Termerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2022 Mar 28;10(3):e31309. doi: 10.2196/31309.
As the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, or vaping, continues to grow, particularly among young people, so does the need for research and interventions to address vaping.
This study examines the quality of free vaping cessation apps, their contents and features, popularity among users, and adherence to evidence-based principles.
A systematic search of existing apps for vaping cessation was conducted in December 2020. Eligible apps were free, in English, and included features specifically targeting vaping cessation. Each app included in the analysis was used daily for at least seven consecutive days, assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale, and rated by at least two authors (AK, EL, or SS) based on adherence to evidence-based practices. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimates were computed to assess interrater reliability (excellent agreement; ICC 0.92; 95% CI 0.78-0.98).
A total of 8 apps were included in the quality assessment and content analysis: 3 were developed specifically for vaping cessation and 5 focused on smoking cessation while also claiming to address vaping cessation. The mean of app quality total scores was 3.66 out of 5. Existing vaping cessation apps employ similar approaches to smoking cessation apps. However, they are very low in number and have limited features developed specifically for vaping cessation.
Given the lack of vaping cessation interventions at a time when they are urgently needed, smartphone apps are potentially valuable tools. Therefore, it is recommended that these apps apply evidence-based practices and undergo rigorous evaluations that can assess their quality, contents and features, and popularity among users. Through this process, we can improve our understanding of how apps can be effective in helping users quit vaping.
随着电子烟（e-cigarette）使用或蒸气的流行持续增加，尤其是在年轻人中，因此需要研究和干预措施来解决蒸气问题。
本研究检查了免费蒸气戒烟应用程序的质量，其内容和功能，在用户中的受欢迎程度以及对循证原则的遵守情况。
在 2020 年 12 月对现有的蒸气戒烟应用程序进行了系统搜索。符合条件的应用程序是免费的，是英文的，并且包含专门针对蒸气戒烟的功能。在分析中包含的每个应用程序都至少连续七天每天使用一次，使用移动应用程序评分量表进行评估，并由至少两名作者（AK、EL 或 SS）根据对循证实践的遵守情况进行评分。计算了组内相关系数（ICC）估计值，以评估评分者之间的可靠性（极好的一致性；ICC 0.92；95％CI 0.78-0.98）。
共有 8 个应用程序被纳入质量评估和内容分析：3 个是专门为蒸气戒烟而开发的，5 个是专门针对戒烟而开发的，同时也声称可以解决蒸气戒烟问题。应用程序质量总分的平均值为 5 分中的 3.66 分。现有的蒸气戒烟应用程序采用了与戒烟应用程序相似的方法。但是，它们的数量非常少，并且针对蒸气戒烟的功能有限。
鉴于在急需的时候没有蒸气戒烟干预措施，智能手机应用程序是潜在有价值的工具。因此，建议这些应用程序应用循证实践，并进行严格的评估，以评估其质量，内容和功能以及在用户中的受欢迎程度。通过这个过程，我们可以更好地了解应用程序如何帮助用户戒烟。
