Smartwatches are not just for tracking physical activity and sleep anymore; they could also provide valuable insights into depression symptoms, suggests a recent study.
According to Joshua Curtiss, Assistant Professor of applied psychology at Northeastern University, US, wearable technology is becoming increasingly important in precision medicine, allowing clinicians to tailor treatments more effectively for individual patients.
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Curtiss and his team examined data from anonymized patients at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) who wore the Empatica E3 wristband. This device tracked various physiological indicators such as sleep patterns, heart rate variability, and movement.
The research aimed to determine if passive sensor data could predict changes in depression severity or symptom severity, offering clinicians a deeper understanding of how depression manifests in individuals.
Alterations in sleep patterns, physical activity levels, and social interactions can all be indicative of depression, and wearable technology can capture these changes. For example, clinicians can analyze data on text messaging frequency to gauge socialization levels.
Curtiss emphasizes that passive sensor data complements clinical judgment and patient self-reports rather than replacing them. It provides clinicians with additional information to better understand a patient’s mental health status and tailor treatment plans accordingly.
By utilizing passive sensor data, clinicians can identify symptoms that patients may underreport or overlook in self-assessments. This approach reduces the burden of patient self-reporting and facilitates a more comprehensive assessment of mental health status.
Overall, wearable technology offers a promising tool for enhancing mental health care by providing clinicians with real-time, objective data to inform treatment decisions.
