Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026
Real-World M3-BREATHE: Toward Multimodal Mobile Monitoring of Behaviour, Respiration, and Exposures for Treatment and Health Evaluation
Published on: June 5, 2026
The feasibility of using cellular phones to collect ecological momentary assessment data: application to alcohol
R Lorraine Collins1, Todd B Kashdan, Gemot Gollnisch
1Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 14203-1016, USA. collins@ria.buffalo.edu
Abstract:
The limitations of paper-and-pencil self-monitoring (PM) are leading to the use of more sophisticated techniques. PM was compared with cellular phone monitoring (CM) to collect ecological momentary assessment data on alcohol use. Twenty social drinkers were randomly assigned to the 2 groups, and their drinking was monitored for 14 days. PM participants recorded data on cards. CM participants carried telephones and responded to an interactive voice response system. The authors found few significant group differences in alcohol use, compliance with the self-monitoring, and satisfaction. However, CM had useful advantages, including instantaneous entry of data into a central database, date and time stamping of data, and easy integration into daily life. Although preliminary, this study suggests that CM is a promising alternative to PM.
