A trial of the Sense2Quit App for Smoking Cessation

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of preventable disease and death, and people with HIV (PWH) are disproportionately affected, with smoking rates three to four times higher than those in the general U.S. population. In urban centers such as New York City, approximately 45% of PWH smoke cigarettes, significantly elevating their risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and reduced life expectancy. While mobile health (mHealth) technologies have demonstrated potential for supporting behavior change, existing smoking cessation apps are often generic, underutilized, or not evidence-based—and few have been specifically developed or evaluated for PWH. To address this public health challenge, our team has developed the Sense2Quit App, an innovative, sensor enabled mHealth intervention designed specifically for PWH who smoke. The app, guided by the Information Systems Research (ISR) framework, uses a smartwatch equipped with machine learning models to detect smoking gestures and provide personalized behavioral support in real time. Our pilot study among 60 PWH demonstrated the app’s feasibility, high user acceptability, and strong retention despite socio-environmental challenges commonly faced by this population. This R01 project will (1) enhance the app’s technical capabilities—improving gesture detection accuracy, data transmission stability, and battery life; (2) evaluate the app’s efficacy in a fully powered randomized controlled trial (N=450) against an active control (physical activity app), with biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 6 months as the primary outcome; and (3) use the RE-AIM framework to assess factors affecting reach, effectiveness, and potential for large-scale implementation. Findings from this research will contribute critical knowledge to the field of digital health, strengthen the evidence base for mHealth interventions for smoking cessation, and support the development of tailored, scalable solutions to improve health outcomes among PWH. Ultimately, this project aligns with national priorities to prevent chronic disease, promote health, and advance technology-driven public health interventions.