New technology suggests that smartwatches could be a valuable tool in helping people quit smoking. Researchers have developed innovative motion sensor software that can recognize the hand movements associated with holding a cigarette.
When the software detects tobacco use, an alert will appear on the smartwatch screen. An accompanying app on the device sends customized text messages and vibrations created by smokers and ex-smokers to aid in quitting.
Messages on the smartwatch include encouraging statements like “When you stop smoking, you breathe easier…quitting smoking is good,” as well as tracking the number of cigarettes smoked that day and overall.
The University of Bristol researchers behind this app believe it to be the first of its kind for smoking relapse prevention, running solely on smartwatches without needing a smartphone connection.
Chris Stone, from the University of Bristol’s Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, emphasizes the importance of intervening during vulnerable moments when attempting to quit smoking to prevent relapse.
The study, outlined in the journal JMIR Formative Research, involved 18 participants testing the smartwatch app. Feedback indicated a positive impact on their smoking habits, with some noting increased awareness, reduced smoking, and improved motivation to quit.
The research team plans to conduct a more extensive trial with varied message types to further assess the app’s effectiveness.
Alize Froguel, from Cancer Research UK, acknowledges the potential of smartwatches in smoking cessation efforts but stresses the importance of seeking support from local smoking cessation services for the best success rates.
Source: www.theguardian.com
