Results from a study led by Massachusetts General Hospital investigators show that use of patches capable of measuring heart rate variability linked to a treatment smartphone app can help treat the symptoms of substance abuse disorder and reduce the chance of relapse.

The patch combined with the app picks up when people are having cravings or experiencing stressful situations and sends an alert to the connected app, which then sends gentle vibration cues to guide the user in breathing exercises.

The individuals using the Lief heart rate variability biofeedback smart patch reduced alcohol and other drug use by 64% per day compared with those in the control group who were not using the patch.

“One of the hallmarks of early addiction recovery is poor self-awareness of emotional states,” sa

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