Development and efficacy testing of an artificial intelligence enabled treatment package (eDOSTHI) for tobacco cessation: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tobacco dependence poses a substantial public health challenge in our country. Moreover, there is a well-established association between tobacco use and other substances. Thus, there is a need to enable patients who wish to quit tobacco use by linking them to treatment services and guiding them through the treatment course. This study proposes using artificial intelligence (AI) methods to increase the reach and ease of treatment for tobacco cessation. METHODS/DESIGN: A role-based and cross-platform application named Electronic means of Decreasing Overuse of Substance like Tobacco - a Health promoting Intervention (eDOSTHI) will be developed in English and Bengali to cater to patients. After the development of the software and pilot testing, efficacy testing will be done on a sample of 220 patients (age:18-65 years) each in the intervention and control arm by means of randomized controlled trial followed by assessment at 4 and 24 weeks. CONCLUSION: This study protocol describes randomised controlled trial to evaluate a language compatible and culturally-adapted mobile application (eDOSTHI) that can help patients with tobacco use to obtain medical advice and achieve abstinence. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has ethical clearance (Ref No. IEC/AIIMS/Kalyani/Meeting/2023/013) from AIIMS Kalyani Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC). The norms of National Ethical Guideline for Biomedical and Health Research Involving Human Participants (2017) by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for data collection and for collection of biological samples and storage will be adhered to. CTRI REGISTRATION: CTRI/2025/09/094053 Dated: 01.09.2025.

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