Publication:
Title:
Integration of passive sensing technology to enhance delivery of psychological interventions for mothers with depression: the StandStrong study
Published:
June 12, 2024
Source:
Scientific Reports, Volume 14, Issue 1, Pages 13535
Authors:
Alastair van Heerden, Anubhuti Poudyal, Ashley Hagaman, Sujen Man Maharjan, Prabin Byanjankar, Dörte Bemme, Ada Thapa, Brandon Kohrt
Description:
Passive sensing technology was integrated into a psychological intervention for maternal depression in rural Nepal, targeting 24 adolescent and young mothers. This proof-of-concept study assessed the feasibility of using mHealth solutions for unobtrusive behavioral data collection to enhance non-specialist-delivered interventions. All participants, aged 15-25 with infants under 12 months, showed a reduction in depression symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory. Trends indicated increased movement away from the home (tracked via GPS) and more time spent away from their infants (measured by Bluetooth proximity) as symptoms improved. However, there was significant variability in passive data, such as speech and physical activity, across individuals. The study demonstrates the feasibility of passive sensing in low-resource settings, offering potential for personalized interventions, though it emphasizes the importance of data protection, confidentiality, and careful interpretation of behavioral data.