Using Smartphone-Tracked Behavioral Markers to Recognize Depression and Anxiety Symptoms: Cross-Sectional Digital Phenotyping Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Depression and anxiety are prevalent but commonly missed and misdiagnosed, an important concern because many patients do not experience spontaneous recovery, and the duration of untreated illness is associated with worse outcomes.

Objective

This study aims to explore the potential of using smartphone-tracked behavioral markers to support diagnostics and improve recognition of these disorders.

Methods

We used the dedicated Behapp digital phenotyping platform to passively track location and app usage in 217 individuals, comprising symptomatic (n=109; depression/anxiety diagnosis or symptoms) and asymptomatic individuals (n=108; no diagnosis/symptoms). After quantifying 46 behavioral markers (eg, % time at home), we applied a machine learning approach to (1) d

SUBMITTER: Aalbers G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12836477 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature