New therapy targets brain's reward system to help smokers quit
NCT ID NCT02697227
First seen Nov 10, 2025 · Last updated Jun 20, 2026 · Updated 33 times
Summary
This study tests whether a type of counseling called behavioral activation therapy, combined with nicotine patches, helps people quit smoking. It focuses on smokers who have low reward sensitivity—meaning they don't get as much pleasure from rewards. The study compares this approach to standard smoking cessation treatment. About 85 participants will receive counseling and nicotine patches, and researchers will track how many quit smoking.
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
nicotine patch
What this could lead to
If successful, this could point toward a more effective, personalized approach to help smokers with low reward sensitivity quit.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study (85 participants) testing a behavioral intervention, so results may not apply to all smokers. The main risk is that the therapy may not improve quit rates over standard care.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.