Current Advances in Wearable Devices and Their Sensors in Patients With Depression

Abstract

In this study, a literature survey was conducted of research into the development and use of wearable devices and sensors in patients with depression. We collected 18 studies that had investigated wearable devices for assessment, monitoring, or prediction of depression. In this report, we examine the sensors of the various types of wearable devices (e.g., actigraphy units, wristbands, fitness trackers, and smartwatches) and parameters measured through sensors in people with depression. In addition, we discuss future trends, referring to research in other areas employing wearable devices, and suggest the challenges of using wearable devices in the field of depression. Real-time objective monitoring of symptoms and novel approaches for diagnosis and treatment using wearable devices will lead to changes in management of patients with depression. During the process, it is necessary to overcome several issues, including limited types of collected data, reliability, user adherence, and privacy concerns.

Development of medical device software for the screening and assessment of depression severity using data collected from a wristband-type wearable device: SWIFT study protocol

“…This study will only recruit Japanese subjects; whether the same diagnostic accuracy can be achieved in other ethnic groups is unclear. In addition, although the information obtained by Silmee is similar to that of wearable devices used in other studies, 15 the accuracy and content of the information obtained may change in the future as the performances of wearable devices improve. In the future, it would be desirable to mount the system on other wearable devices.…”

Effectiveness of a lifestyle modification programme in the treatment of depression symptoms in primary care

“…In addition, qualitative studies should be carried out to investigate the specific causes of dropout. Regarding the use of ICTs, more studies are needed to determine how to improve adherence and compliance rates so that people can wear wearable devices continuously for 24 h ( 20 ).…”

“…More specifically, wearable devices have been proven to be feasible and acceptable for use among overweight people with severe mental illness ( 19 ). These devices allow for monitoring behaviors in real-time in an unobtrusive way, enabling people to monitor and change their own activity ( 20 ).…”

Greater variability in daily sleep efficiency predicts depression and anxiety in young adults: Estimation of depression severity using the two-week sleep quality records of wearable devices

“…These results are consistent with our study in terms of variability but are contrary to in terms of average. Therefore, in future studies, it is necessary to closely examine the associations between the objective and subjective aspects of the sleep quality and the level of depression Wearable devices yield objective sleep measurements via real-time recording at minimal expense, and do not burden users (12); such devices facilitate the personalized and interactive healthcare (50). In this study, we used Fitbit Charge 2 as the wearable device and a previous study showed that sleep parameters measured with Fitbit devices were not statistically different from those measured with actigraphy (51); actigraphy has been used in chronobiology and sleep medicine for the past 20 years.…”

“…Wearable devices yield objective sleep measurements via real-time recording at minimal expense, and do not burden users ( 12 ); such devices facilitate the personalized and interactive healthcare ( 50 ). In this study, we used Fitbit Charge 2 as the wearable device and a previous study showed that sleep parameters measured with Fitbit devices were not statistically different from those measured with actigraphy ( 51 ); actigraphy has been used in chronobiology and sleep medicine for the past 20 years.…”