Computer-based tree drawing test in adolescents and adults with depression

To evaluate the value of the computer-based Tree Drawing Test in the auxiliary diagnosis of depressive disorders and to analyze the differences in the performance of adolescent and adult depression patients in the Tree Drawing Projection Test.

This study was conducted at Guo Yang County People's Hospital in Anhui, China, and involved a total of 184 participants: 43 adults with depression, 82 adolescents with depression, and 59 healthy controls. The Tree Drawing Test and scale assessments were administered to patients with depressive disorders (adult group and adolescent group) and a control group. Computer image recognition and calculation techniques were used to analyze the results statistically.

Significant differences were observed between the adult depression group and the control group in terms of crown area, trunk area, total area, and HDRS scores (p < 0.001). Statistically significant differences were also found between the adult depression group and the adolescent depression group in terms of trunk area (p < 0.01), total area (p < 0.001), HDRS scores (p < 0.001), and HAMA scores (p < 0.01). The crown area (r = -0.261, p < 0.001), trunk area (r = -0.154, p = 0.037), total area (r = -0.285, p < 0.001), and HDRS scores in the Tree Drawing Test were significantly correlated.

The computer-based Tree Drawing Test has certain value in the auxiliary diagnosis of depression. Future research should include larger sample sizes and participants from different regions and cultural backgrounds to further validate the generalizability and cultural adaptability of the Tree Drawing Test for depression assessment.