LEARN-MOOD Study details

University email

learn-mood@kcl.ac.uk

Study title

Using deep LEARNing to predict MOOD changes in patients with depression

Study description

Huge amounts of interesting data can be collected from consumer wristwatch fitness trackers such as the popular 'Fitbits'. Some evidence suggests this information can be used to detect mood changes. This could be very useful especially in patients with mood disorders such as depression. This study will look at whether we are able to detect mood changes in people with depression using information collected from wristwatch fitness trackers.

Ethical approval

This study received ethical approval from the NHS Surrey Research Ethics Committee on the 26th June 2020.

Research position

Researcher

Keywords & disciplines

• mental health
• mental health apps
• depression research
• technology
• prediction modelling

Where is this study conducted?

Online

Compensation

£40 Amazon Voucher

Study type

Taking part in video call interviews, completing online questionnaires and wearing a wristwatch fitness tracker for the duration of the study

How long will the study take to complete?

3 months

Study language

English

Participant requirements

• Current diagnosis of major depressive disorder
• Currently taking stable dose of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for at least two weeks
• Age between 18 and 65 years old
• Own a smartphone
• Have access to the internet
• Have an active email address

Instructions

If you agree to take part in this study, we will first send you an email which will include a participant information sheet. After reading the participant information sheet, if you decide to participate we will ask you to provide us with your mobile number and we will arrange a screening phone call with you. The screening call will involve a brief phone call between yourself and one of our research team members. We will ask you some questions which will allow us to decide whether you might be eligible to take part in the study. If we think you may be eligible to take part we will invite you to take part in the screening / baseline assessment. The assessment will consist of an interview where we will ask you some questions about your mental health experiences. If you fulfil the eligibility criteria at this stage, we will ask you to complete some online questionnaires.

Next, we will send you a wristwatch fitness tracker in the post for you to wear continuously for the duration of the study (three months in total). Once you have received the watch we will ask you to download and set up two mobile phone apps. You will be required to answer some questionnaires throughout the course of the study via one of the mobile apps.

Once the three months are up, we will invite you to the follow-up assessment which will be very similar to the baseline assessment. Again, this will involve completing an interview via video or phone call and completing some online questionnaires. After this, we will ask you to post the wristwatch fitness trackers back to us (postage will be pre-paid for by us).

If you are interested in taking part please email us at learn-mood@kcl.ac.uk with your phone number and some times that you are available to be contacted.