Using Digital Phenotyping to Accurately Detect Depression Severity

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2019 Oct;207(10):893-896. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000001042.

Abstract

Development of digital biomarkers holds promise for enabling scalable, time-sensitive, and cost-effective strategies to monitor symptom severity among those with major depressive disorder (MDD). The current study examined the use of passive movement and light data from wearable devices to assess depression severity in 15 patients with MDD. Using over 1 week of movement data, we were able to significantly assess depression severity with high precision for self-reported (r = 0.855; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.610-0.950; p = 4.95 × 10) and clinician-rated (r = 0.604; 95% CI, 0.133-0.894; p = 0.017) symptom severity. Pending replication, the present data suggest that the use of passive wearable sensors to inform healthcare decisions holds considerable promise.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / diagnosis*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Wearable Electronic Devices / psychology*
  • Wearable Electronic Devices / trends*