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Modeling Stress-precipitated Vaping Behavior

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Vaping
Interventions
Other: Control task and Trier Social Stress Task
Registration Number
NCT04522362
Lead Sponsor
Clemson University
Brief Summary

The primary aims of this pilot study were to (1) initially validate the applicability of a human laboratory model of relapse initially developed for smokers to e-cigarette users; (2) to use this human laboratory model of lapse behavior to examine the effects of acute psychological stress on vaping-lapse behavior among adults who are experienced, e-cigarette users.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
51
Inclusion Criteria
  • at least 18 years old
  • e-cigarette users
  • using ≥1 mL of e-cigarette liquid per day with a nicotine concentration of ≥3mg/ml
  • had used an e-cigarette for at least three months
Exclusion Criteria
  • Current smokers
  • Psychiatric or medical condition based
  • Using a prescription medication other than birth control

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Experimental Task- Trier Social Stress TaskControl task and Trier Social Stress TaskThe Trier Social Stress Task (TSST) is a standardized, 15-minute laboratory task designed to induce psychological stress in laboratory settings (Kirschbaum, Pirke, \& Hellhammer, 1993). The TSST consists of three continuously successive phases: (a) an anticipation period (5 min); (b) a free speech task (5 min); and (c) a mental arithmetic task (5 min). As is standard in the TSST procedure, participants were told by a research staff member that they would provide a brief speech about "their dream job" in front of a critical audience. At the end of the speech, a member of the audience instructed the participant to conduct serial subtractions as accurately and quickly as possible.
Control task-Control task and Trier Social Stress TaskThe Control Task was implemented to ensure the specificity of the psychological stress effects had on study outcomes. Therefore, the Control Task had a similar procedure and the same duration of the TSST, lacking except for only the psychologically stressful component. The control task consisted of (a) Participants had a 5-min a preparation section and anticipation phase (5 min ), (b) a reading task where they had to. Then, all participants had to be read a simple text in a low voice (5 min), and (c) an arithmetic section where they were asked to perform an easy mathematical calculation (5 mins).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
latency to initiate ad-lib vaping session (in minutes)During the two laboratory sessions which occur within 1 week after screening/baseline.

Time to vaping during the vaping delay task. Range of time delay is 0 minutes to 50 minutes.

number of puffs purchased and consumed during the self-administration periodDuring the two laboratory sessions which occur within 1 week after screening/baseline

Number of e-cigarette uses purchased during the self-administration phase of the vaping delay task. Range of puffs is 0 to 20.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
CravingThe VAS will be collected at each laboratory session (within 1 week after screening/baseline) 5 times: baseline (pre task), post task (+15 minutes), decision to smoke (+20 minutes), +30 minutes smoking ab-lib, and +60 minutes during smoking ab-lib

Craving was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) asking "How much do you crave an e-cigarette right now?" with possible responses ranging from 0 (not at all) to 100 (extremely).

StressThe VAS will be collected at each laboratory session (within 1 week after screening/baseline) 5 times: baseline (pre task), post task (+15 minutes), decision to smoke (+20 minutes), +30 minutes smoking ab-lib, and +60 minutes during smoking ab-lib

Stress was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) asking: "How stressed or anxious do you feel right now?" with possible responses ranging from 0 (not at all) to 100 (extremely).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Vermont

🇺🇸

Burlington, Vermont, United States

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