IF YOU WANT TO QUIT SMOKING, WE COULD HELP.

Project Quit is a research team at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) who are dedicated to improving treatment for smokers that want to quit the habit.

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WHAT IS PROJECT QUIT?

Many people want to quit smoking but think it’s too hard. The nicotine in cigarettes is a very powerful and addictive drug. For most people, quitting isn’t easy. Current statistics show that it can take a person 30 attempts before becoming successful in quitting and 1 in 20 smokers attempting to quit are successful without some form of help. The Project Quit team at MUSC is investigating ways on how to advance medical science in helping smokers quit.

After learning of the health consequences, most people who smoke want to quit, but a majority fail when they try to quit without help. They could have symptoms like irritability, depressed mood and trouble sleeping. Medication and/or counseling may be very helpful for smokers who want to quit.

There is no cost to you for participation, and if you qualify, you will be paid to participate. If you have questions about Project Quit’s research opportunities and how we could help you or a family member or friend, please call (843) 792-4097.

HOW IT WORKS

Regardless of your level of interest in quitting, participation in smoking research is important as it can help Project Quit learn more about tobacco use disorder. By understanding the addiction better, there could be greater gains in improving interventions to help those who want to quit. We have a comprehensive research team that focus on tobacco use disorder providing treatment and non-treatment research.

Interested smokers can contact the study team to learn about the active studies that are currently enrolling. Study personnel will ask some basic questions to see what study might be the best fit based on a person’s level of interest in quitting, age, and other factors. Safety is the team’s number one priority. If study participation is not the best option, staff will provide some other resources in the community for a smoker to access.

All services are at no cost, and we provide compensation for participation. Participants must provide informed consent. Contacting the Project Quit team does not obligate participation. Smokers under 18 must provide parental consent.

IN THE NEWS

Project Quit Helps Smokers Kick The Habit

The Project Quit team is currently conducting a half–dozen research studies aimed at both…

MUSC’s Project Quit Seeking Tobacco Use Research Candidates

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ACTIVE STUDIES

See information on our current studies below. All studies are currently conducted through the Medical University of South Carolina.

STUDY NAME:
A prospective trial of varenicline and incentives for tobacco cessation in adults

STUDY SHORT NAME:
CAT

LEAD INVESTIGATOR:
Dr. Erin McClure

RECRUITING:
Adult cigarette smokers (ages 18-40) who are interested in quitting smoking.

STUDY SUMMARY:
The purpose of this study is to better understand tobacco quit outcomes using a well-known stop smoking medication called varenicline (also known as Chantix or apo-varenicline), cessation counseling, and financial incentives. We are also interested in how cannabis/marijuana and tobacco interact during a tobacco quit attempt. All enrolled participants will receive tobacco cessation treatment (medication and counseling) for 12 weeks.

To request more information about this study, click here

This study is being conducted at three sites: the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, Behavioral Health Services in Pickens, SC, and the Medical University of South Carolina in Florence, SC.

STUDY NAME:

Smoking Treatment And Remote Sampling

STUDY SHORT NAME:
STARS Study

LEAD INVESTIGATOR:
Dr. Matthew Carpenter

RECRUITING:
Current daily smokers age 18+.

STUDY SUMMARY:

This is a research study to find out if a smoking cessation medications, either varenicline or nicotine replacement products (patches or lozenges), are effective when given to smokers, remotely, as a one-time sample.

Participants will either receive a sample of varenicline, nicotine patches and lozenges, or neither. This will be decided randomly. Participants have a 50%chance of receiving varenicline, a 25% chance of receiving nicotine products, and a 25% chance of receiving neither. If the participant is assigned to a group that receives free samples, they will be mailed to them free of charge. There is no requirement to use them, and it is completely up to the participants. There is also no requirement to quit in this study.

The study lasts for six months, and will involve six total surveys. In addition, investigators ask that participants complete daily diaries (about 1 minute each) for the first 4 weeks of the study. Both varenicline and nicotine replacement products are well-established medications that help smokers quit.

To request more information, click here

STUDY NAME:

Ketamine and Motivational Enhancement Therapy for Tobacco Use Disorder

STUDY SHORT NAME:
KERMET

LEAD INVESTIGATOR:
Dr. Emily C Amador

RECRUITING:
Current cigarette smokers ages 25-64.

RECRUITMENT SUMMARY:
The purpose of the study is to examine whether an investigational medication called ketamine is able to improve treatment outcomes for tobacco use disorder when delivered in conjunction with brief motivational enhancement therapy. Participants will receive ketamine assisted motivational enhancement therapy weekly for three weeks and there will be 2 follow up visits. All visits will also consist of questionnaires and saliva samples will be taken. The overall participation will last approximately 8 weeks.

For more information, click here

STUDY NAME:
RTMS Manipulates Imbalanced Drive-reward and Executive Control Circuitry for Smoking Cessation

STUDY SHORT NAME:
N/A

LEAD INVESTIGATOR:
Dr. Xingbao Li

RECRUITING:
Current cigarette smokers ages 18-65.

STUDY SUMMARY:
The Brain Stimulation Lab is currently studying if an investigational brain stimulation device may be able to help with smoking cessation. All visits will take place at MUSC (downtown) including a screening visit with pre-treatment MRI, 3 weeks of treatment, a post-treatment MRI and one month follow up. Compensation will be provided.

To request more information about this study, please contact Morgan Dancy at (843) 876-5141 or Dr. Xingbao Li at (843) 792-5729.

WHAT IS A CLINICAL TRIAL?

A clinical trial is a research study that helps answer specific health questions. In a clinical trial, human participants help research scientists find treatments that work in people. These participants, or human volunteers, find new ways to improve health.