Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Feasibility and validity of computerized ecological momentary assessment in schizophrenia
Eric Granholm1, Catherine Loh, Joel Swendsen
1Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System (116B), San Diego, CA 92161, USA. egranholm@ucsd.edu
Background:
Computerized Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMAc) techniques permit the assessment of daily life behaviors and experiences. The present investigation examined the feasibility and validity of this assessment methodology in outpatients with schizophrenia.
Methods:
Outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n = 54) received a battery of standard laboratory clinical and functional outcome measures and then completed electronic questionnaires on a personal digital assistant (PDA) microcomputer 4 times per day for 1 week.
Results:
Generally good compliance (87%) with EMAc was found, and participants rated their experience with the study positively. The data collected in daily life demonstrated expected patterns across the assessment week and were significantly associated with scores from standard laboratory instruments measuring similar constructs.
Conclusions:
EMAc is a feasible and valid approach to data collection in community-dwelling people with schizophrenia, and it may provide important information that is inaccessible via standard clinical and functional outcome measures administered in the laboratory.