Combined Chatbot and Counselor Support for Smoking Cessation in China: A Pilot, Mobile-Based, Randomized Controlled Trial.

In 30 seconds

This two-arm, community-based randomized pilot trial in China assessed chatbot-supported smoking cessation and whether adding personalized counselor support might improve outcomes. Both groups received chatbot-moderated WeChat support; one group also received one-to-one counselor support for 3 months. At 6 months, bio-verified abstinence was 15.5% with counselor support and 9.9% with chatbot support alone (RR 1.57, 95% CI = 0.64-3.83); the difference was not statistically significant. The combined approach was reported as feasible and well accepted, while self-reported abstinence and smoking reduction were similar between groups.

Key findings

• At 6 months, bio-verified abstinence was 15.5% with counselor support versus 9.9% with chatbot support alone (RR 1.57, 95% CI = 0.64-3.83); the difference was not statistically significant.
• At 3 months, bio-verified abstinence was 18.3% versus 11.3% (RR 1.62, 95% CI 0.72-3.69), also not statistically significant.
• Self-reported point-prevalence abstinence and smoking reduction were similar between groups.
• The combined chatbot and counselor model was feasible and well accepted in community settings.

Why it matters

Chat-based support may help extend access to smoking cessation services where conventional provision is uneven. This pilot suggests that automated support can be paired with human guidance in community settings, but the abstinence estimates remain uncertain and do not establish that counselor support improves cessation. Larger studies are needed to clarify whether the approach produces meaningful benefits and how it can be implemented.

What to keep in mind

This was a pilot trial, and abstinence differences were not statistically significant; the confidence intervals were wide, leaving substantial uncertainty about the effect of adding counselor support.