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Using ‘Smart’ Technology to Aid in Cigarette Smoking Cessation: Examining an Innovative Way to Monitor and Improve Quit Attempt Outcomes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 September 2018

Carol Morriscey ,
Aaron Shephard ,
Anouk van Houdt ,
David Kerr  and
Sean P. Barrett
Carol Morriscey
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Aaron Shephard
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Anouk van Houdt
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
David Kerr
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Sean P. Barrett*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
*
Address for Correspondence: Sean Barrett, Dalhousie University, Life Sciences Centre, Rm 2525, 1355 Oxford Street, P.O. Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada. E-mail: Sean.Barrett@dal.ca
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Abstract

Introduction

Recently, smartphone applications (apps) have been used as smoking cessation aids. Interactive apps appear to more effective than non-interactive apps. SmokeBeat, a smartphone app used in conjunction with a smartwatch, aims to detect smoking events, interact with the user as they occur and potentially stop smoking events before they occur in the future.

Aims

The purpose of this feasibility study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of SmokeBeat in detecting smoking events.

Methods

The feasibility of using the app as a smoking cessation aid was tested over a 2-week period by daily, dependent smokers. SmokeBeat's cigarette detection rate was measured in laboratory sessions both before and after the 2-week period. Fisher's exact test was used to compare detection rates from each session.

Results/Findings

The detection rate was 22.5% during session 1 and 41.7% during session 2. Once technological issues were controlled for (i.e., signal loss between smartphone and smartwatch), SmokeBeat's detection rate improved over the 2-week period, resulting in a 100% detection rate.

Conclusions

Apps which can detect smoking events in real time present an opportunity for a proactive and interactive smoking cessation aid – a potentially useful tool for individuals attempting to quit smoking.

Keywords

Smoking CessationSmartwatchCigaretteMobile AppsNicotine
Type
Original Articles
Information
Journal of Smoking Cessation , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , September 2019 , pp. 149 - 154
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2018 

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