Some made New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, cut down on alcohol consumption, to eat healthier, or to quit smoking. They are called resolutions because they are often times huge undertakings that demand mental and physical dedication. Often times correcting a behavior is not fun and takes a huge amount of concentration and effort. But interactive voice response systems can help.
Several years ago a major pharmaceutical company commissioned an IVR system with Plum Voice that both assisted people in their efforts to quit smoking and also collected research about the habits and efforts of participating individuals.
So how exactly does this work? The pharmaceutical company who commissioned the system has worked closely with researchers who had comprehensively studied the most effective smoking cessation techniques using a large demographic of individuals as test subjects.
They found that one of the most effective methods was allowing people to record personal messages and reminders, and then specify when they had the strongest cravings (i.e., when they got up in the morning, before lunch, prior to bedtime). With this information, the IVR would store these customized messages and call or text people prior to the specified craving times.
Extensive research showed that these personal reminders prior to craving times are one of the most effective ways to get people to stop smoking. There have been a slew of scientific studies postulating that one of the greatest challenges for those trying to wean themselves off nicotine is finding the mental strength to resist their cravings.
Pursuant to this, hearing their own voice instead of a prerecorded message or the voice of a TTS engine gave them both motivation and accountability, which are ultimately some of the most vital factors in reforming behavior and easing mental urges.
Not only did this IVR system help curb and suppress individual’s hankerings for cigarettes, the system also collected data when individuals did slip. Participants could call in and provide detailed information about the circumstances and emotions fueling cravings in order to provide researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances (physical, mental, and emotional) when they did relapse.
Using this data, researchers could form a detailed understanding of how, when, and why those struggling with quitting had a cigarette, and tailor their program to these findings. This proved to be a highly successful program with large customer success rates. Just another unique way IVR can be used to help people and generate ideas!
