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Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, have surged to unprecedented levels, especially since the onset of COVID-19. The demand for mental health support has likewise increased rapidly, prompting a need for objective measurement in a field traditionally reliant on subjective self-reported questionnaires.
The absence of concrete metrics for mental health presents challenges in the overall mental health care system. The current lack of real-time interventions and objective measurements can lead to an increase in mental health crises and low medication adherence among patients. Additionally, healthcare providers are hindered by the absence of remote monitoring capabilities for their patients, limiting their ability to enhance clinical efficiency. This deficiency contributes to an increased reliance on emergency room visits and re-hospitalization. Furthermore, the absence of objective measurements in psychiatry clinical trials hampers the effective assessment of treatment efficacy, posing a significant obstacle to advancing mental health treatments.
For a long time, humanity has been trying to understand and measure human psychology and emotions. Mood rings gained popularity in the 1970s, attempting to gauge our emotional state based on the changing colors of the ring. Fast forward to the present and our quest to measure mood states has transcended the mood rings, embracing digital health technology for mental health. Digital biomarkers for mental health, which are captured based on voice, video, wearable, or smartphone sensor data, provide insights into an individual’s mood state. They offer a non-invasive and continuous way to monitor various aspects of mental health and enable personalized, data-driven approaches.
For instance, Ellipsis Health developed a digital biomarker harnessing the power of voice to detect signs of depression. Similarly, Affectiva developed digital biomarkers based on video or facial gestures to identify emotional changes. Biosensors similar to the ones we find in wearables, such as Electrodermal Activity (EDA) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), have been consistently associated with mental health in numerous academic studies over the years. This integration of digital biomarkers marks a promising step forward in advancing mental health measurement and care.
The wearable technology landscape has seen significant advancements in recent years, particularly in the integration of features designed to enhance the management of mental health. While established devices such as Fitbit, Oura, Pixel Watch 2, and Garmin have traditionally focused on monitoring physical health and fitness, they have now evolved to incorporate sensors and functionalities specifically tailored to measure stress and, by extension, mental health. This marks a significant shift in the wearable tech landscape, where the focus has expanded beyond physical health to encompass the vital aspect of mental health.
Another company that pioneers in the mental health space with its wearable device and proprietary technology for several years now, is Feel Therapeutics. Feel is the only company that has published outcome data around monitoring changes in the mood states of individuals based on objective data. The cornerstone of accurate mental health tracking lies in the precise measurement of relevant physiological markers. Feel's technology achieves this through continuous, high-precision monitoring of Electrodermal Activity (EDA), among other physiological measurements like skin temperature, HRV, ambient temperature and humidity, and accelerometer.
Feel Therapeutics conducted studies in collaboration with respected research organizations that have shown a strong correlation between EDA and various emotional states, including stress. Now, an EDA sensor has also been integrated by Fitbit, Google Pixel, and Happy Ring to support stress management, indicating that more and more wearable tech companies are shifting their focus to mental health.
Electrodermal Activity (EDA), is a long-established and validated marker of sympathetic nervous system activity, often associated with the "fight or flight" response. Feel Therapeutics conducted studies in collaboration with respected research organizations that have shown a strong correlation between EDA and various emotional states, including stress. Continuous tracking of EDA, therefore, gives the most accurate and reliable insight into a user’s mental health status. Additionally, it allows researchers to develop new digital biomarkers for continued research into more objective data, as well as the personalized and precise management of mental health disorders.
Now, an EDA sensor has also been integrated by Fitbit, Google Pixel, and Happy Ring to support stress management, indicating that more and more wearable tech companies are shifting their focus to mental health.
So, what are the benefits of monitoring mental health through wearables? Monitoring mental health through wearables can offer several benefits, as these devices provide continuous, passive, real-time monitoring that can offer insights for individuals and professionals to gain a more accurate understanding of mental health status.
Unlike self-reported data, wearables provide objective, data-driven mental health management and the data collected are of high quality, providing a reliable and comprehensive overview of the user’s mental health.
A peer-reviewed study, published in Frontiers in Digital Health, proved that remote patient monitoring, using a proprietary emotion-sensing wearable device, along with digital interventions and coaching, can provide mental health support on a 24/7/365 basis and effectively improve anxiety and depression. This study is an important milestone that showcases how Feel Therapeutics’ remote, data-driven, digital mental health solution helps us objectively and continuously monitor mental health and offer improved outcomes to patients suffering from depressive and anxiety disorders,” said Haris Tsimpras, Ph.D., co-founder and CTO of Feel Therapeutics.
A peer-reviewed study, published in Frontiers in Digital Health, proved that remote patient monitoring, using a proprietary emotion-sensing wearable device, along with digital interventions and coaching, can provide mental health support on a 24/7/365 basis and effectively improve anxiety and depression.
“The results demonstrated a very high average precision level (87%) in identifying emotional events passively through the wearable device. Users experienced a reduction of over 50% in symptoms of depression and these improvements also translated into a 15% increase in quality of life and a 24% boost in life satisfaction metrics. This study is an important milestone that showcases how Feel Therapeutics’ remote, data-driven, digital mental health solution helps us objectively and continuously monitor mental health and offer improved outcomes to patients suffering from depressive and anxiety disorders,” said Haris Tsimpras, Ph.D., co-founder and CTO of Feel Therapeutics.
In conclusion, as we witness the growing integration of mental health technologies in wearables, we stand at the threshold of an exciting journey. While challenges, such as achieving clinical validation and regulatory approval, lie ahead, the future holds immense promise. Envision a scenario where a visit to the doctor includes receiving a wearable device for continuous mental health monitoring.
The potential impact on clinical practice is transformative. Imagine the power of detecting mood swings in bipolar patients, adjusting medications accordingly; foreseeing signs of depression relapse; or identifying and intervening in cases of suicidal ideation. We are just embarking on this transformative path, and the possibilities for digital precision medicine in mental health are equally groundbreaking and inspiring.
