Randomized clinical trial of the Finito hypnotherapy app versus usual care for smoking cessation : a feasibility study.

Cigarette smoking is harmful to health and can have far-reaching negative consequences. Current smoking cessation interventions (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy) are not effective for all individuals. Hypnotherapy is a promising behavioral intervention for smoking cessation. A systematic review (Ekanayake & Elkins, 2025) found that in a subset of 33 of the included studies, 67% reported a positive effect of hypnotherapy. To reduce cost and burden, development of mobile apps for smoking cessation has recently increased. While many smoking cessation apps have not yet been found to be efficacious, in a self-report survey, users of Finito, a hypnotherapy app, indicated it was pleasant, easy to use, and reported a 50.8% quit rate (Alldredge et al., 2024). Given its potential, the purpose of the present study was to conduct a feasibility randomized clinical trial of the Finito app compared to usual care. One-hundred and six individuals enrolled, of which a total of 62 participants completed the study. Participants completed self-report measures (Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) at baseline and follow-up (Weeks 4 and 8). Participants tracked cigarette use and received weekly check-in calls from study personnel. Based on the study results, the Finito app for smoking cessation is feasible in terms of accrual, randomization, data collection, program rating, and treatment satisfaction. This study found that a mobile-app based hypnotherapy intervention resulted in higher smoking cessation rates compared to a wait-list control group. These smoking cessation rates were higher than smoking cessation rates for currently available pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for tobacco use disorder. Study findings also indicate the potential benefit of the Finito app on secondary outcomes of anxiety, depression, and sleep quality, when compared to a wait-list control group. Motivation and expectancies were not found to be mediators, while self-hypnosis practice may be a possible moderator in the relationship between number of cigarettes smoked on a daily basis and group condition. Based on these preliminary findings, this study provides evidence for the promising nature of hypnotherapy as a digital intervention for smoking cessation.

Name thesis:degree_name

Psy.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Ekanayake, Vindhya, 1983-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Elkins, Gary Ray, 1952-

• Smoking cessation.
• Hypnotherapy.
• Mobile apps.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/15093

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/15093