SQ4U — A computer tailored smoking relapse prevention program incorporating planning strategy assignments and multiple feedback time points after the quit-attempt: Development and design protocol

BackgroundThe SQ4U (Stay Quit for You)-study aims to test the efficacy of two computer tailored smoking relapse prevention programs which incorporate planning strategy assignments and provide tailored feedback at multiple time points after the quit-attempt. The programs differ in the support provided after the quit-attempt. This paper aims to describe the development and design of SQ4U.Methods/designSQ4U-respondents were daily smokers in the 18–65 years age group, who were motivated to quit smoking and willing to make a quit-attempt within 1 month of registration. The study is a randomized controlled trial with three conditions: 1. Control group, 2. Action planning (AP) program, 3. Action planning plus (AP+) program. Respondents in the control group only filled out questionnaires. The AP program consisted of computer tailored baseline feedback based on the I-Change Model and six planning strategy assignments. The AP+ program provided the same program elements as the AP program, but was extended with tailored feedback at eleven time points after the quit-attempt. The feedback targeted (recovery) self-efficacy, planning and negative affect. There were two follow-up measurements at 6 and 12 months after baseline. User experiences and the efficacy of the programs in fostering seven-day point prevalence and continued abstinence were examined using a process evaluation and logistic regression analyses.DiscussionThe present paper outlines the development and design of the SQ4U-study. This study has the potential to provide a new effective computer tailored smoking relapse prevention program as well as insight into effective smoking relapse prevention strategies.