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Ecological Momentary Assessment Using Smartphones in Patients With Depression: Feasibility Study
Redwan Maatoug1, Nathan Peiffer-Smadja2,3, Guillaume Delval1
1Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, Service de psychiatrie adulte de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, F-75013, Paris, France.
JMIR Formative Research
|February 24, 2021
Summary
Smartphone ecological momentary assessment (EMA) shows high patient compliance for depression management. Self-assessments using the EMA app correlate with psychiatrist evaluations, suggesting a convenient tool for monitoring mental health.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Digital Health
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is valuable for real-time psychiatric disorder monitoring, especially depression.
- Smartphones offer a scalable platform for implementing EMA in clinical practice.
- Early detection of relapse and treatment efficacy are key benefits of EMA.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess patient compliance with a smartphone-based EMA application.
- Evaluate the external validity of EMA by correlating self-reported variables with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).
Main Methods:
- 11 psychiatric patients used a smartphone EMA app daily for 28 days.
- Outpatient consultations occurred on days 1, 15, and 28 for psychiatrist review.
- Data from the EMA app were aggregated on a dashboard for psychiatrist review.
Main Results:
- A positive correlation (r=0.57) was found between HDRS scores and self-reported self-esteem, guilt, and mood.
- Seven patients completed daily EMAs, achieving an average response rate of 62.5%.
- A positive correlation (r=0.63) was observed between EMA response rates and follow-up duration.
Conclusions:
- This preliminary study indicates significant patient compliance with smartphone EMA for depression monitoring.
- Patient self-assessments via the app appear consistent with standardized psychiatric evaluations.
- Smartphone EMA may offer a more convenient alternative to traditional outpatient consultations for some patients.
