Decrease in Resting Heart Rate Measured Using Smartphone Apps to Verify Abstinence From Smoking: An Exploratory Study

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Verifying self-reported smoking abstinence in remote studies is difficult.
• Resting heart rate (HR) is known to decrease during smoking abstinence.
• Previous research has established this HR decrease under laboratory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if decreases in resting HR, measured via smartphone apps, can verify smoking abstinence.
• To explore the feasibility of using accessible technology for remote monitoring in smoking cessation research.

Main Methods:

• A repeated measures experimental design was employed with 18 adult daily smokers.
• Participants recorded resting HR using smartphone apps across three conditions: usual smoking, abstaining without Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), and abstaining with NRT.
• Abstinence was objectively verified using expired-air carbon monoxide (CO) concentration.

Main Results:

• Mean resting HR was significantly lower during smoking abstinence compared to the usual smoking condition (13.4 bpm lower without NRT, 10.4 bpm lower with NRT).
• No significant difference in HR was observed between the two abstinence conditions.
• CO-verified abstinence was high, with 18/18 participants abstaining without NRT and 16/18 abstaining with NRT.

Conclusions:

• Self-recorded resting HR using smartphone apps reliably decreases during smoking abstinence.
• This method shows potential for inexpensive and remote verification of smoking abstinence in cessation studies.