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

• Main Authors: Ngiap Chuan Tan, Zulidiah bte Mohd Mohtar, Eileen Yi Ling Koh, Usha Sankari, David Hong Chuan Tay, Shaun Yu, William Boon Wee Tan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2018-09-01
• Series: Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/2010105818757257

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.