A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests smartwatches can revolutionize depression treatment by providing clinicians with insights into patients’ mental health status. The study found that passive sensor data can predict changes in depression severity and individualized ways of manifesting depression.
Smartwatches can revolutionize depression treatment by giving clinicians valuable insights into patients’ mental health, according to a recent study. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, smartwatches can now track depression symptoms in addition to step counting and sleep.
Wearable technology is important in precision medicine, according to Northeastern University Assistant Professor of Applied Psychology Joshua Curtiss. said, “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,” Curtiss.
“It showed the very individualised ways depression manifests in people,” the professor wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The study used anonymized MGH patient data to track sleep, physical activity, and social interactions. Curtiss noted that wearable technology can track depression symptoms like sleep disturbances, physical inactivity, and social isolation.
Clinicians can use digital watches and smartphones to track patients’ socialization patterns, such as text messaging frequency. Passive sensor data is useful, but Curtiss stressed that clinical judgment and patient input also matter.
The use of passive sensor data in clinical practice can reduce patient self-reporting, which often leads to underreporting or overreporting of symptoms. “This does not replace clinical judgment. Curtiss said we use sensor data, clinical judgment, and patient feedback to get a complete picture.
Joshua Curtiss added that this method helps clinicians quickly assess a new patient’s mental health and discuss treatment options.
The study shows that smartwatches and wearable technology can improve depression treatment. By using passive sensor data, clinicians can personalize depression treatment and improve support.
