With the New Year often comes good resolutions, and many people decide to adopt a healthier lifestyle, such as quitting smoking. This can significantly improve health by reducing the risk of certain diseases. Recognizing that quitting smoking is challenging, researchers from the University of Bristol, UK, aim to assist individuals through a smart watch from Ticwatch.
They developed an application that uses the watch's motion sensors to identify common hand movements associated with smoking, thereby preventing relapses. In a study, they tested the app on 18 participants who smoked more than 10 cigarettes a day and wanted to quit, over the course of two weeks.
The researchers aimed to identify relapse points using the smart watch. If the app detected a participant about to smoke, it would send a message to help them in their quitting efforts. According to the Guardian, participants could specify the number of cigarettes smoked and puffs taken throughout the day, with some expressing how quitting improved their breathing. Although 61% found the messages relevant, some felt they lacked variety or timely delivery, indicating a need for further research to gauge effectiveness.
