A study suggests that smartwatches might improve depression therapy
According to a new research, smartwatches have the potential to completely transform the way that depression is treated by giving doctors insightful information about their patients’ mental health. According to research that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, smartwatches may now be used to successfully monitor depressive symptoms in addition to their more traditional uses like step counting and sleep monitoring.
Precision medicine has benefited greatly from wearable technology, according to Joshua Curtiss, an assistant professor of applied psychology at Northeastern University in the US. According to him, “The purpose of this type of research was to figure out if we can use passive sensor data to predict the things we care about — to see if it is associated with changes in depression severity or symptom severity,” said Curtiss.
In a New England Journal of Medicine article, the professor said, “It showed the very individualised ways depression manifests in people.”
The research monitored a number of physiological markers, such as sleep patterns, physical activity, and social contacts. It was carried out using anonymised patient data from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Curtiss emphasized that wearable technology may effectively monitor typical indicators of depression, such as altered sleep patterns, diminished or excessive physical activity, and social isolation.
Clinicians may learn more about their patients’ socializing habits, including how often they text, by using data from digital watches and cellphones in addition to other signs. Although passive sensor data is a significant source of information, Curtiss stressed that it should be used in conjunction with clinical judgment and patient input rather than in substitute of it.
Passive sensor data integration may greatly lessen the burden of patient self-reporting, which often results in either an overreporting or an underreporting of symptoms. “This is not meant to replace professional judgment. To get a complete picture, we integrate (sensor) data with our clinical judgment, the patients’ statements, and other information,” Curtiss said.
Joshua Curtiss said that using this method helps doctors get a rapid understanding of a new patient’s mental health condition and promotes more informed conversations about available treatment choices.
The research emphasizes how wearable technologies, including smartwatches, might be a useful tool to improve depression therapy. Through the use of passive sensor data, medical professionals may tailor treatment plans and provide more efficient assistance to patients experiencing depression.
