An estimated 970 million people globally are affected by a mental health condition.
Sensor-based digital health technologies (sDHTs) offer a possible path forward, enabling the continuous monitoring of behaviors and physiological signals that have the potential to transform care for mental health conditions.
This report provides insight into how sDHTs may be appropriate for capturing the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychosis, thus facilitating objective assessments, early intervention, and personalized treatments while outlining key technology characteristics and implementation considerations.
“This timely report offers practical recommendations for funders, researchers and companies to support the development of sensors in clinical practice. It helps highlight where more research is needed, and how to build in the voice of lived experience to develop trustworthy practices.”
Matt Brown, Head of Digital Technology, Mental Health and Discovery Research, Wellcome
Use this report to
Use this report to
Use this report to
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Mental health symptoms which are measurable with sDHTs
Technology characteristics important when using sDHTs in mental health research and care
Research and care implementation considerations to successfully use sDHTs in mental health
Barriers and challenges to implementation, with suggested mitigations to support broad adoption and use
Actionable recommendations to guide future innovation, research, development, and funding decisions
“Millions of people around the world are held back by mental health problems. There is a pressing need for new and improved, more tailored interventions.
“Sensor-based digital technologies, including wearables such as smart watches, could be transformative in measuring aspects of mental health in a personalised way and at a timescale that better matches the fast-changing dynamics of mental health.
“This timely report offers practical recommendations for funders, researchers and companies to support the development of sensors in clinical practice. It helps highlight where more research is needed, and how to build in the voice of lived experience to develop trustworthy practices.”
Matt Brown, Head of Digital Technology, Mental Health and Discovery Research, Wellcome
We are honored to work alongside the field’s most trusted organizations to review sDHTs for mental health research and clinical practice.
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