An exhaled carbon monoxide self-monitoring device linked to social media to support smoking cessation: A proof of concept pilot study

Abstract

Background: A recent systematic review alludes to the effectiveness of social media in facilitating smoking cessation. However, most interventions center on mobile applications in engaging smokers. A novel portable exhaled-carbon-monoxide self-monitoring device, the Smoke-analyzer to Track and Expedite Actions and Decisions to Eliminate Smoking (STEADES) linked to a specially-designed mobile phone application has been developed, which relays exhaled carbon monoxide-related data from the smokers to their selected quit supporters via social media. Aim: The study aimed to determine the precision and feasibility of using the STEADES device among smokers in primary care. Method: This pilot study recruited 15 Asian adult smokers from a primary care polyclinic in Singapore. Their exhaled carbon monoxide measurements were measured serially using STEADES, compared to a commercial smokerlyzer as reference. The subjects could use the device to transmit their exhaled carbon monoxide measurements via mobile application and social media to their acquaintances in the next two weeks. Data on the subjects' demographic and clinical characteristics, their views on STEADES (from a questionnaire), and its utility (from the application) were collated on enrolment and at the end of study. Results: Measurements using STEADES were significantly correlated with those from a commercial smokerlyzer (Pearson correlation=0.882, p<0.01). The majority of the subjects perceived that the exhaled carbon monoxide data would allow them to track progress of their quit attempts, perceived recipients of these data would support their smoking cessation (92.3%), and reported willingness to use it with improved accuracy. Conclusion: The STEADES prototype had shown feasibility in this proof of concept study. Most subjects were in favor of using it to support their smoking cessation but its accuracy required enhancement.

Comparison of exhaled carbon monoxide levels and its association with nicotine dependence between electronic and tobacco cigarettes: A cross-sectional study among teenage smokers

“…CO circulating in the blood will return to the alveoli due to the concentration gradient, and eventually, CO will be released through the expiratory pathway. This can be measured using portable CO measurement devices such as the smokerlyzer piCO [ 7 ]. Exhaled CO levels gradually rise when using electronic cigarettes, according to a study involving a 12-hour smoking cessation followed by their use [ 8 ].…”

“…Smokers with high nicotine dependence tend to smoke more frequently, leading to the accumulation of gases due to limitations in their elimination caused by a higher CO gradient [ 9 ]. This forms the basis for objectively assessing smoking dependence through CO levels, in addition to established questionnaires in smoking cessation [ 7 ]. Exhaled CO has become a common test for patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or smokers who have symptoms but still smoking [ 7 ].…”

“…This forms the basis for objectively assessing smoking dependence through CO levels, in addition to established questionnaires in smoking cessation [ 7 ]. Exhaled CO has become a common test for patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or smokers who have symptoms but still smoking [ 7 ]. It serves as an accurate and objective assessment of nicotine addiction, with varying sensitivity for different labels, but can reach a sensitivity of 56–88% and specificity of 91–100% in all different labels to determine the level of nicotine addiction in tobacco smokers [ 10 ].…”

An innovation involving self-surveillance and serious gaming to increase smoking quit rate: Protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

“…It shows that about one-third of the smokers quit smoking at the end of the program 25 . We had developed and proven the acceptability of Asian smokers using a portable eCO measurement device, called STEADES-1, to self-monitor their smoking cessation efforts, and to transmit their eCO data to their family members and friends in an earlier feasibility study 26 .…”