JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Digital remote monitoring using smartphones and wearable devices is a promising solution for psychosis management where precise, time-sensitive intervention is crucial. Combining active symptom monitoring and passive sensing can support self-management by allowing remote, low-burden mental health monitoring.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore: i) views on collecting data using active symptom monitoring and passive sensing methods, and comfort levels with different types of data gathered via these methods; ii) views on using smartphones and wearable devices in the context of mental healthcare; and iii) the ownership and usage of smartphones and wearable devices.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional survey study with service users with psychosis in the UK, from March 2023 to March 2024.

Results:

309 participants completed the survey. Respondents reported mixed views on using active symptom monitoring and passive sensing technologies for monitoring mental health, with more respondents endorsing the concept than opposing it (ASM: 145, 46.9%, PS: 132, 42.7%). However, the type of data gathered using these methods was an important factor. Collecting personal information was deemed less acceptable (p<0.001) than other data types (physical health, mental health, environment, and non-personal device information).

Conclusions:

We found that participants were comfortable with using apps and wearables for digital remote monitoring, though personal information was less acceptable than other data types due to privacy and surveillance concerns. This highlights the importance of further exploring trust issues related to digital monitoring and ensuring that end users have choices regarding the types of data that digital systems gather and share with mental health services.