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Evaluation of the Electronic Cigarette Withdrawal Syndrome

Early Phase 1
Recruiting
Conditions
E-cigarette Use
Withdrawal
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT06066996
Lead Sponsor
Johns Hopkins University
Brief Summary

The goal of this project is to rigorously evaluate the nature of e-cigarette withdrawal in exclusive e-cigarette users during a monitored abstinence period and the role of nicotine in the expression of this withdrawal syndrome.

Detailed Description

This project will use a rigorous residential laboratory design to evaluate e-cigarette withdrawal expression and experimentally determine the role of nicotine in this syndrome. Healthy adults who exclusively use e-cigarettes will undergo monitored e-cigarette abstinence over seven days (1 week) in a residential unit. The investigators will evaluate the contribution of nicotine to withdrawal expression by assigning participants to one of three conditions: active nicotine patch, placebo patch control, or no patch to control for expectancies. Standardized behavioral and biological measures associated with withdrawal including patient report, cognitive task performance, and biometrics will be collected throughout to establish a rigorous timecourse of withdrawal and evaluate the contribution of nicotine to these symptoms.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
150
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Transdermal Nicotine PatchTransdermal Nicotine PatchParticipants assigned to this condition will receive a blinded nicotine patch and will wear the patch on their upper arm, per the manufacturer's instructions.
Transdermal Placebo PatchPlacebo Nicotine PatchParticipants assigned to this placebo nicotine patch condition will receive a blinded patch containing 0mg of nicotine, and will wear the patch on their upper arm, per the manufacturer's instructions.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Hughes-Hatsukami Withdrawal ScaleBaseline, every 4 hours up to 16 hours

The Hughes-Hatsukami Withdrawal Scale consists of 13 items presented individually on a 100mm visual analog scale. Higher scores reflect higher withdrawal (worse outcome) \[range 0-32\]. Measures are taken at baseline, 8am, 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm every day during the seven day residential stay.

Change in Smoking urges as assessed by the Tiffany-Drobes Questionnaire of Smoking Urges (QSU) BriefBaseline, every 4 hours up to 16 hours

The Tiffany-Drobes QSU Brief consists of ten items, each presented on the screen as a phrase centered above seven boxes ranging from (strongly disagree) to (strongly agree). Higher scores reflect higher withdrawal (worse outcome) \[range 0-70\]. Measures are taken at baseline, 8am, 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm every day during the seven day residential stay.

Change in Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)Baseline, every 4 hours up to 16 hours

The PANAS consists of 20 items presented individually on a five-point Likert scale. Higher scores reflect more positive affect and negative affect \[range 0-50\]. Measures are taken at baseline, 8am, 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm every day during the seven day residential stay.

Total sleep timeNightly up to seven days

Total time sleeping in minutes measured using actigraphy and unobtrusive EEG.

Change in Memory as assessed by the N-BackBaseline, every 4 hours up to 16 hours

On the n-back, participants decide whether each stimulus in a sequence matches the one that appeared "n" items ago. Higher scores reflect more accuracy. Measures are taken at baseline, 8am, 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm every day during the seven day residential stay.

Total time spent in Rapid eye movement (REM) sleepNightly up to seven days

Total time sleeping in minutes in REM stage measured using actigraphy and unobtrusive EEG.

Change in Conners' Continuous Performance Task (CPT)Baseline, every 4 hours up to 16 hours

On the CPT, participants respond to single letters appearing on their computer screen but are asked to refrain from responding to a specified letter(i.e., the letter X). Higher scores reflect more inattention. Measures are taken at baseline, 8am, 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm every day during the seven day residential stay.

Wake after sleep onset (WASO)Nightly up to seven days

Total number of minutes that a person is awake after having initially fallen asleep measured using actigraphy and unobtrusive EEG.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in E-Cigarette Demand IntensityBaseline, every 4 hours up to 16 hours

E-cigarette use at unconstrained price measured using a commodity purchase task. Higher scores reflect more demand (worse outcome). Measures are taken at baseline, 8am, 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm every day during the seven day residential stay.

Return to UseDay 14

Return to e-cigarette use at the one week follow-up.

Change in E-Cigarette Demand ElasticityBaseline, every 4 hours up to 16 hours

Sensitivity of e-cigarette use to price measured using a commodity purchase task. Higher scores reflect more price sensitivity (better outcome). Measures are taken at baseline, 8am, 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm every day during the seven day residential stay.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

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