Shanghai Medical Association Respiratory Tobacco Dependence Subgroup Launches Multicenter Clinical Trial for Digital Nicotine Dependence Intervention Tool

January 13, 2025,Under the auspices of the Tobaccoology Group of the Respiratory Specialty Branch of the Shanghai Medical Association, Langye Medical, in collaboration with Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the Smart Health Management Group for Respiratory Diseases of the Cross-Strait Medical and Health Exchange Association, successfully convened the “Meeting of the Tobaccoology Group of the Respiratory Specialty Branch of the Shanghai Medical Association and the Launch Ceremony of the Clinical Study on Digital Intervention for Nicotine Dependence” in Shanghai.This study was a multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of a digital nicotine dependence intervention tool in subjects with nicotine dependence. Five comprehensive tertiary Grade A hospitals participated in this clinical study, including Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Shanghai Putuo District Central Hospital, and Shanghai Fengxian District Central Hospital.

(Site of the Kick-off Meeting for the Clinical Study on Digital Nicotine Dependence Intervention Tools)

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Shen Ye, Founder of Langye Medical and Deputy Head of the Smart Health Management Group for Respiratory Diseases under the Cross-Strait Medical and Health Exchange Association. More than 20 attendees participated, including project leaders and relevant personnel from the participating research institutions.

At the outset of the meeting, Professor Wang Xiongbiao, Director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Shanghai Putuo District Central Hospital, delivered the opening remarks for the launch event. In his address, he briefly reviewed the work process and achievements of the Tobacco Control Group of the Shanghai Medical Association over the past year, emphasized the future significance of digital therapeutics in tobacco control management, and expressed sincere gratitude to all colleagues who participated in and supported the event both online and offline.

(Address by Professor Wang Xiongbiao, Director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Putuo District Central Hospital)

Subsequently, Professor Shi Guochao, Project Leader and Director of the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, delivered a speech, expressing his gratitude to all the professors and Langye Medical for their support. He stated that after arduous preparations, the project had finally reached its launch phase, and he looked forward to achieving greater progress in clinical research through everyone’s joint efforts.

(Address by Professor Shi Guochao, Director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)

Subsequently, Professor Dai Ranran from the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, provided a detailed introduction to the upcoming clinical trial protocol. She offered an in-depth analysis of the study’s design rationale and expected outcomes, thereby laying the theoretical foundation for subsequent work.

(Professor Dai Ranran from the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, introduces the clinical trial protocol)

Next, Dr. Shen Ye provided a detailed introduction to QuitIt, a digital intervention tool for nicotine dependence. He pointed out that the tool is designed based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles, enabling it to deliver personalized smoking cessation plans. When used in conjunction with Langye Medical’s independently developed home-use exhaled carbon monoxide (FeCO) analyzer—the first of its kind in China—it further enhances smoking cessation outcomes and provides strong support for subsequent interventions. The expert also demonstrated the workflow of the QuitIt software and the operation of the analyzer on-site, earning high praise from attendees for its outstanding functionality and ease of use.

(Expert Shen Ye Introduces the Digital Nicotine Dependence Intervention Tool—QuitIt)

During the conference, constructive discussions were held on how to better leverage digital tools for interventions in nicotine dependence. Professors from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Shanghai Putuo District Central Hospital, and Shanghai Fengxian District Central Hospital, along with the Medical Director of Langye Medical and other attending experts, conducted thorough evaluations and discussions on implementation details such as clinical protocol design and patient recruitment, thereby clarifying the subsequent work schedule for the project. The experts also engaged in extensive exchanges regarding current major challenges and future development directions, reaching a consensus that digital therapeutics will significantly improve chronic disease management models and provide robust support for enhancing public health. The latest scientific achievements and technological applications presented by Langye Medical received high recognition from the professional community.

(Discussion by Participating Experts)

The successful launch not only laid a solid foundation for research into digital therapeutics for intelligent smoking cessation intervention, but also established an important platform for future academic exchange and collaboration. Notably,As a member of the Smart Health Management Group for Respiratory Diseases under the Cross-Strait Medical and Health Exchange Association, VCBeat provided professional conference services to facilitate the smooth progress of all agenda items at this meeting.We look forward to the emergence of more innovative achievements. Future research will be dedicated to more precise assessment of airway diseases and promoting their application in the field of holistic health management, ushering in a new era of chronic respiratory disease management.