A Randomized Controlled Trial to Test the Effectiveness and Mechanisms of Change of a Video Game targeting Inhibitory Control in a Social Context among Smokers.

In this randomized controlled trial the effects of a video game targeting inhibitory control in a social context will be tested in a Dutch sample of adolescent- and young adult smokers. Smokers who are motivated to quit are randomly assigned to one of two conditions. The intervention condition (video game) will consist of multiple short play sessions on a mobile phone of 2-3 minutes at home. The control condition (treatment-as-usual) will receive a self-help brochure by The Trimbos Institute containing information about strategies for initiation and maintenance of cessation. Measurements of primary and secondary outcomes will be conducted in both conditions at baseline, immediately following the intervention in laboratory visits. Primary outcomes will be conducted at 3-month follow-up as well.

The effects of a video game targeting inhibitory control in a social context will be tested in a Dutch sample of adolescent- and young adult smokers (between the ages of 16 and 26). It is expected that the adolescents and young adults who receive the video game targeting inhibitory control in a social context will show smoke less cigarettes a week at post-test and follow-up, compared to the control group.

1. Screening

2. Pre-treatment: all primary and secondary outcomes (approximately one week before first session);

3. Post-treatment: all primary and secondary outcomes (approximately one week after last session);

4. Follow-up: only primary outcome (3- month)

Adolescent- and young adult smokers who are motivated to quit are randomly assigned to one of two conditions. The intervention condition will receive a video game targeting inhibitory control in a social context, which is a Go-NoGo training transformed into a video game format. There will be multiple play sessions at a mobile phone of 2-3 minutes at home. Participants will be beeped approximately once a day to play, but they are also instructed to play the game when they feel the urge to smoke or when they want to. The control condition (treatment-as-usual) will receive a self-help brochure by the Trimbos Institute to take home. This brochure, containing information about strategies for initiation and maintenance of cessation, can be considered standard treatment in the Netherlands.