Behavioral Activation Mobile App (ABLE) Study

Behavioral activation (BA) is an evidence-based treatment for depression that fosters engagement in values-based goals and activities to increase contact with positive environmental reinforcement. In collaboration with the University of Manchester and the BU Software & Innovation Lab (SAIL), we developed and tested a mobile app that uses BA to motivate smokers to quit.  Mixed methods (focus groups & surveys) were deployed to develop the app with the target population. This pilot randomized clinical trial was conducted with smokers in the UK. This work was funded by Cancer Research UK (B. Borrelli, PI).   

Borrelli, B., Bartlett, Y. K., Fulford, D., Frasco, G., Armitage, C. J., & Wearden, A. (2024). Behavioral activation mobile app to motivate smokers to quit: Feasibility and Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Formative Research, 8, e54912. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/54912. PMID: 38573739.