- A recent study found that wearable trackers may be able to proactively detect depression flare-ups through sleep patterns.
- It is known that there is a relationship between sleep and depression. Sleep disorders can be both a symptom and a risk factor for depression.
- If you can detect depression recurrence in advance, you may be able to completely prevent it from happening again.
A new study from McMaster University has suggested that wrist-worn devices such as smartwatches may be able to send signals when a person is at increased risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) relapse.
MDD Also called “clinical depression.” It is a common mental health condition that involves persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities and affects mood, behavior, and physical function.
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Wearable trackers may also be able to detect possible recurrence weeks or months in advance. all the way 60% A percentage of people with MDD will experience it at least once. recurrence episodes from their lives.
“Advances in digital technology and AI algorithms have great potential for preventing mental health relapses.” Benicio FreyM.D., Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at McMaster University and co-author of the study, said in the paper. press release.
“Imagine a future where a smartwatch can alert someone with depression, ‘You are very likely to develop new symptoms of depression within the next four weeks. Why not talk to your health care provider?'” he continued.
The study followed 93 adults across Canada who had previously recovered from depression. Each participant wore a research-grade actigraphy device that included: fit bit Or Apple Watch.
“This is a great study, [a] This theme nicely foreshadows future AI analysis of biometrics to determine human mood and health status. ” Alex DimitriuMD, double board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, was not involved in the study.
“Our biology, especially as it relates to mental health, is often a very ambiguous signal. [are] Good days, bad days, stress, sleep, and random life events that change our mood in different directions. Tracking wearables over long periods of time can begin to reveal patterns that would otherwise be difficult to detect. “This study showed that changes in sleep effectively predicted depression recurrence,” he said.
Participants wore the device for one to two years. This generated over 32,000 days of activity and sleep data.
The researchers found the following key points from the data they collected:
- Participants with the most irregular sleep profiles were found to have nearly twice the risk of relapse.
- The strongest predictor of recurrence was when there was little detectable difference between daytime activity and nighttime rest.
- The length of time a person stays awake after falling asleep during the night predicts increased risk of relapse.
- Before the relapse occurred, the individual’s sleep schedule appeared to become more irregular.
This study may highlight untapped potential. wearable technology For people recovering from MDD. This is because the technology passively collects data and can provide continuous insights between appointments.
“Depression is a slow drift before a crisis, and this study confirms that the first manifestation of that drift is sleep,” said therapist and founder Rod Mitchell. emotional therapy calgarywas not involved in the study.
“What makes this finding particularly compelling is that even after adjusting for current depression scores, indicators such as relative amplitude remain predictable, meaning that sleep disturbances are not simply a symptom of worsening mood, but are early warning signals operating on their own biological pathways,” he told Healthline.
“Essentially, wrist-worn wearables can act as seismometers for mental health, detecting emotional earthquakes before they occur,” Mitchell said.
The researchers noted that the study provides an opportunity for health system innovation. For example, wearable-derived alerts could help clinicians target treatment to those most at risk. This may help improve outcomes and reduce the burden of recurrent episodes.
“Tracking your sleep quality…is a useful way to get an overall picture of your sleep quality,” he said. Sarathi BhattacharyaPhysician, pulmonologist, sleep medicine specialist, and medical director of MemorialCare Sleep Disorders Center at Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach, California, was not involved in the study.
“This can certainly help inform healthcare professionals’ decisions about the appropriate management of mood disorders. Commercially available wearable products already sell sleep tracking capabilities, and patients often use this information to guide their decisions to seek sleep care,” he told Healthline.
the study showed that there is a bidirectional relationship between sleep and depression.
“In general, the association between poor sleep quality and worsening symptoms of mood disorders has been observed and studied for a long time,” says Bhattacharya.
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders among people with depression. What happens is 80% to 90% About people with depression.
Research also shows that having insomnia can double your risk of developing depression.
This indicates that treating insomnia and tracking sleep patterns may help reduce the risk of developing or relapsing into depression, as recent research suggests.
“Sleep is the basis of everything related to the mind. Make it a priority and optimize it as much as possible,” Dimitriu said.
Sleep disturbances and disturbances are just one aspect of MDD.
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Feelings of frustration, irritability, or restlessness
- feeling of hopelessness or pessimism
- Loss of interest or enjoyment in hobbies or activities
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
- Feeling tired, lacking energy, or moving slowly
- Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
- Unexplained physical aches, pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
- Thoughts about death or suicide, or a suicide attempt
Not all people with depression experience all of these symptoms, or in the same way.
To be diagnosed with depression, a person must experience symptoms almost every day of the week.
If your symptoms of depression persist, consider seeing a professional. mental health or a medical professional.