Message Testing in Older Adult Smokers (MCAS-2)
Phase: NA
Conditions: Smoking, Smoking Cessation
Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison

 
 
Motivating Change in Aging Smokers – 2 (MCAS Aim 2) 
 NCT05471349 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PI: Adrienne L. Johnson, PhD 
December 11, 2023 
 

 Motivating Change in Aging Smokers – 2 (MCAS Aim 2)  
PI: Adrienne L. Johnson, PhD  
Study Purpose  
The purpose of this research is to evaluate messages that motivate older smokers to make quit attempts 
using evidence based smoking treatments (EBSTs).  
Background  
An estimated 5.8 million people have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in the U.S., 
costing $290 billion per year. The incidence of ADRD is expected to triple by 2050, costing an estimated 
$1.1 trillion per year. Due to the rapid growth and tremendous impact of this disease, focus has shifted 
towards targeting modifiable risk factors to prevent and slow the development of ADRD, potentially 
preventing approximately 40% of ADRD cases2. A candidate risk factor, cigarette smoking, is the leading 
preventable cause of death and disability in the U.S., resulting in 480,000 deaths and costing over $300 
billion each year. Epidemiological studies show that cigarette smoking is prospectively associated with a 
70% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia onset, accounting for at least 13.9% of ADRD 
cases. Smoking directly increases the likelihood and severity of at least five risk factors for ADRD onset 
(i.e., diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and high cholesterol). Smoking cessation can lower 
these risk factors, even among an aging population. 
Regardless of genetic risk, healthy lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation can cut the risk of 
ADRD in half. Due to the known relations between smoking, other ADRD risk factors, and ADRD, the 
World Health Organization, Institute of Medicine, and Alzheimer’s Association state that smoking 
cessation is among the top priorities for reducing cognitive decline and preventing onset of dementia. 
Fortunately, evidence-based smoking treatments (EBSTs) exist that can double or triple cessation 
success. Older adult smokers are at especially high risk for ADRD. Currently, there are 19 million smokers 
ages 45 and older. Given the predicted doubling of older adults in the next 25 years, helping older 
smokers quit is a vital public health priority. Unfortunately, older smokers are half as likely to attempt to 
quit smoking compared to younger adults40. Lower cessation efforts in older smokers may be a function 
of both clinician inaction and dysfunctional beliefs/motivational deficits of older smokers. Compared to 
younger adults, older smokers are less likely to receive advice to quit or be offered EBSTs (e.g., 
pharmacotherapy, counseling) by healthcare professionals. Moreover, older smokers’ doubts about the 
benefits of quitting later in life and the efficacy of smoking cessation interventions may reduce older 
smokers’ motivation to quit13. Importantly, older smokers who do attempt to quit are more likely to 
maintain abstinence than younger smokers when using EBSTs. The chief obstacle to reducing smoking 
among older adults does not appear to be treatment efficacy, but rather failing to motivate this 
underserved population to make quit attempts using EBSTs. 
 
According to the Health Belief Model, impactful motivational messages for older smokers should focus 
on threats they perceive as important and personally relevant and messages should be offered with a 
feasible, effective course of action to address the health threat. Older adults’ greatest aging-related fear 
is cognitive decline and developing dementia45-47; it is both important and relevant. The link between 
smoking and ADRD risk factors and the availability of EBSTs offers an effective strategy to respond to 

this threat. Unfortunately, the indirect relation between smoking and ADRD risk expressed via known 
ADRD risk factors has not been clearly articulated to the general or medical community, and is not used 
as a motivator for smoking cessation. Providing this message within the health care system, where older 
smokers can access EBSTs at little or no cost, and where they spend a disproportionate amount of their 
time, will increase use of EBSTs. Building novel interventions for translation will facilitate more rapid 
dissemination and subsequent impact on public health. The overarching objective of this proposal is to 
develop and test a readily translatable Stage 1 motivational intervention for smoking cessation in older 
adults consisting of: (1) a novel patient-informed motivational message promoting smoking cessation; 
and (2) ready access to EBSTs for smoking cessation within a healthcare setting. This responds to two of 
NIA’s goals: (1) develop effective interventions to maintain health, well-being, and function and prevent 
age-related diseases/disabilities; and (2) disseminate information to the public, medical, and scientific 
communities. This project will evaluate the motivational impact of 2 message packages developed from 
a previous study (IRB# 2020-1429). 
 
Study Procedures 
After providing study information, participants will be randomized to one of three unique message 
packages: (1) Message A (hope-based video message and flyer; n = 275), (2) Message B (fear-based 
video message and flyer; n = 275), or (3) Control Message C (water advertisement video and flyer; n = 
275). These messages will be presented as part of a (~15 minute) online survey, conducted via Qualtrics 
(a secure, web-based application designed to support data capture for research studies) and collected 
by Centiment LLC. The survey will first assess demographic characteristics (i.e., age, race, ethnicity, 
gender identity, income level, education level), psychiatric history (i.e., self-report of current or lifetime 
psychiatric diagnosis), smoking history (e.g., cigarettes smoked per day, age of smoking onset) and 
current motivation to quit smoking. Participants will then view their randomized message package (A, B, 
or C), and will be asked to rate their emotional response to this message, and the impact of the 
presented messages on motivation to quit (only in Message A and B conditions) and behavior change 
mechanisms outlined in the HBM: perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, 
perceived barriers, self-efficacy. Upon completion, participants will be paid for their time and effort by 
Centiment LLC, through secure PayPal payments. Per projections from Centiment, in order to recruit the 
planned 825 participants, participants will be compensated for their time and effort based on Centiment 
LLC's approved compensation strategy.