Utilizing Augmented Reality as an Adjunct for Smoking Cessation; Development and Initial Validation

Investigators will collaborate with an AR software specialist to develop AR stimuli that are embedded within a basic digital application.

AR stimuli (smoking, e.g, cigarette, ashtray, lighter; and non-smoking, e.g., pen, notebook, eraser) will be piloted on a small group of smokers to receive feedback and modify as needed. Participants will answer questions from a 10 point Likert scale that will asses urge from 1 (absolutely no urge to smoke) to 10 (strongest urge to smoke) and reality/co-existence (how realistic the item looks, and it's integration into the environment), from 1 (Not at all) to 10 (Very Much). Participants will then be asked additional open-ended questions about the quality of the images following the ratings of the images.

Participants will attend 1st lab based session that will test cue-reactivity. Participant will be randomized to view either AR images, or in vivo items first. Order of presentation of items will also be randomized within the type (AR or in vivo).Session 1 should last under 1 hour.

Participants will be randomized into either the extinction or control group. 28 trials of AR cues will be presented for each group. Both groups will receive the same neutral cue in Trial 1 (to establish baseline urge) and the same smoking cue in Trial 2 (for pre-test cue-reactivity). The extinction group will receive smoking cues for trials 3-26, whereas the control group will receive neutral cues. Both groups will receive matched smoking cues for trial (27) followed by matched neutral cues for the final trial (28), for post-test cuereactivity. Each cue will be presented for 1 minute and will be shown 4 times in trials 3-26. Following each cue, participants will complete the single-item measure of urge. Following the final trial (28) for both groups, participants will be presented with one of their own cigarettes and asked to take at least one puff. Latency to smoke will later be determined using time stamps on the video recording. Session 2 is expected to last 1.25 hours.

Participants will be instructed to use the AR app that presents smoking-related stimuli (cigarette, ashtray, lighter) in locations/situations where they typically smoke with the goal of at least 5 uses per day for 7 days. Usage and rating data will be collected in real-time. Participants will also be asked to rate their urge to smoke on the smartphone app at selected times. Participants will complete a telephone interview to provide additional feedback on the app, answer questions related to smoking behavior, and receive an in-person interview on their perceptions of the app as a potential cessation tool. Participants will use the smart phone application for 7 days.