British researchers have created a smartwatch app that detects hand movements while smoking and sends motivational messages. Testing on 18 volunteers showed positive results – 66% approved of using the device.
Researchers from the University of Bristol have developed new software using motion sensors that can recognize the characteristic hand movements when holding a cigarette. This is written by The Guardian.
Details
When the system detects smoking, a notification appears on the watch screen. The device also vibrates and sends a motivational message created by smokers and ex-smokers themselves to support the user.
For example, among the texts are: “Quitting smoking — is an opportunity to breathe more freely. Take this step”.
Other messages include counting the number of cigarettes smoked and puffs taken per day.
The developers claim that this is the world's first “point” technology for preventing relapse to smoking that works entirely on a smartwatch and does not require synchronization with a smartphone.
How it works system
According to Chris Stone from the University of Bristol's Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, the app aims to provide support at the most vulnerable moment – the first relapse, when the risk of relapse is particularly high.
“People like the idea of the watch sending a notification at the exact moment they smoke. This allows them to not only record the fact of smoking, but also provide immediate support, increasing the chances of a successful quit attempt,” explains Stone.
The program was tested among 18 volunteers aged 18 to 70 who smoked more than 10 cigarettes a day.
They wore the smartwatch with the app for two weeks. The results showed that 66% of participants positively assessed the use of the watch, and 61% noted the relevance of the messages.
Among the benefits, users highlighted increased awareness about smoking, motivation to change, reducing the number of cigarettes smoked, and ongoing support. However, there were also comments: the repetitiveness of the messages, their insufficient speed of appearance and the limited variety of texts.
Further research
The next stage will be a longer testing of the program with an expanded set of messages.
Alize Frogel, prevention manager at Cancer Research UK, stressed that smartwatches could be a useful tool in the fight against smoking, but more research is needed to assess their effectiveness.
She also added that the best results in the fight against smoking are achieved by contacting a free local support service.