Development of Digital Biomarkers of Mental Illness via Mobile Apps for Personalized Treatment and Diagnosis

Abstract

The development of precision psychiatry is largely based on multi-module measurements from the molecular, cellular, and behavioral levels, which are integrated to assess neurocognitive performances and clinically observed psychopathology. Nevertheless, quantifying mental activities and functions accurately and continuously has been a major difficulty within this field. This article reviews the latest efforts that utilize mobile apps to collect human–smartphone interaction data and contribute towards digital biomarkers of mental illnesses. The fundamental principles underlying a behavioral analysis with mobile apps were introduced, such as ways to monitor smartphone use under different circumstances and construct long-term patterns and trend changes. Examples were also provided to illustrate the potential applications of mobile apps that gain further insights into traditional research topics in occupational health and sleep medicine. We suggest that, with an optimized study design and analytical approach that accounts for technical challenges and ethical considerations, mobile apps will enhance the systemic understanding of mental illnesses.

Mapping the ethical landscape of digital biomarkers: A scoping review

“…The validation of digital biomarkers raises not only epistemological considerations, but also ethical implications that cannot be ignored [ 19 , 20 , 24 , 27 , 28 , 30 ]. While the primary concern is ensuring the accuracy and reliability of these biomarkers, the moral responsibility to avoid harm is inherently tied to the validation process.…”

“…Further significant concerns relate to lack of transparency [ 19 , 22 , 27 ] in the algorithms and methodologies employed to derive digital biomarkers, as well as the allocation of data protection duties and responsibilities among the actors involved in the process [ 26 ].…”

“…Privacy and data security emerge as paramount concerns in the implementation of digital biomarkers, giving rise to ethical dilemmas regarding the protection of sensitive patient data against unauthorized access and misuse [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. The collection and sharing of sensitive personal health information raises questions about who should have access to the data and how it should be used.…”

Advances and Opportunities of Mobile Health in the Postpandemic Era: Smartphonization of Wearable Devices and Wearable Deviceization of Smartphones

“…(E) Digital biomarkers that reflect users’ moods, behaviors, and cognitions using text logs, browser history, human-computer interactions, and various sensors. The images were reprinted from Chen et al [ 19 , 135 ].…”

“…Mobile apps can collect human-smartphone interaction data to monitor smartphone usage and construct long-term patterns and trend changes. As shown in Figure 7E [ 135 ], analyzing a digital biomarker that reflects human effects, moods, behaviors, and cognition can predict psychiatric conditions, such as depression and smartphone addiction. In addition, digital therapeutics delivered through games, education, coaching, and counselling are based on cognitive behavioral therapy and can treat insomnia, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, panic disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.…”