Using Wearable Physiological Monitors With Suicidal Adolescent Inpatients: Feasibility and Acceptability Study

Area of Science:

• Clinical Psychology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Digital Health

Background:

• Wearable physiological monitoring devices offer continuous real-world data collection for human behavior and psychophysiology.
• Challenges exist in ensuring consistent participant adherence to wearable monitors, particularly during psychological distress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Empatica E4 wearable monitor for continuous monitoring of adolescent inpatients with suicidal ideation.

Main Methods:

• Fifty adolescent inpatients wore the Empatica E4 for their entire inpatient stay.
• Data collected included hours worn daily, alongside qualitative interviews and self-report measures of participant experience.

Main Results:

• The Empatica E4 demonstrated feasibility and acceptability, with participants wearing it an average of 18 hours per day.
• Despite occasional discomfort, participants generally accepted wearing the monitor, with many valuing their contribution to scientific understanding.

Conclusions:

• Wearable monitors show promise for clinical research with adolescent inpatients.
• Participant engagement and investment in the research study are crucial for successful continuous monitoring.