Smartphone ⁢App Assesses Schizophrenia Risk, monitors Mental Health

⁣ ⁤ ⁢ Updated june 3, 2025
‍

A smartphone app is under inquiry as a potential tool ⁤for assessing individuals at high clinical risk for
⁤ ‍ schizophrenia. The ongoing study explores⁣ the feasibility of using digital technology for early detection and
⁣ monitoring of mental health.

Dr. ⁤John Torous,⁣ assistant professor of psychiatry at ⁤Harvard medical School, presented the⁤ research at the
American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting. He emphasized the widespread use of‍ smartphones among young
⁣ adults ⁣and their willingness to use them for health-related purposes.

Torous believes that if a population uses phones and is interested ⁣in using them, it can definitely help supplement or
‍ determine who should get a clinical⁢ interview and advanced screening.

The ⁢app, developed ⁢as part of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) schizophrenia program,‍ is being used
⁤ in a multisite study. The code is available on GitHub and at docs.lamp.digital.

Participants,including those at risk for schizophrenia and healthy controls,complete daily surveys via the
⁤ app. These Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA) ⁤consist of questions covering thoughts, feelings, actions,
social interaction,⁤ and intentionality. the battery of questions was built based ⁣on consensus from⁤ international
experts.

The app also collects phenotyping⁣ data through a⁤ wearable accelerometer, tracking motion, GPS location, and
⁢ screen⁢ logs for sleep patterns.

Torous⁣ clarified that the location data is used⁢ to understand environmental factors, such as access to
⁣ ⁤ resources and exposure to⁣ environmental changes or natural disasters.

Participants can choose from three entry points: audio and written diaries or written surveys only;
⁣ accelerometer use; surveys and screen state; or a‍ combination of ⁣all possible modes.

EMA completion rates were consistent across age ‍groups (12.5 to 30 years) and⁤ races, with an average of 20 days
completed.

Torous noted that depression⁣ status had a slight impact on survey completion,with more depressed participants
completing fewer ⁣surveys.

He suggested that⁤ even two weeks of survey ⁤data might be sufficient ‍to determine psychosis risk, given the
⁣ study’s year-long duration⁤ and the average interval of other psychosis surveys ‍being six days.

A systematic review and‍ meta-analysis co-authored by Torous, ⁢published in Schizophrenia Bulletin ⁣ in March
2024, found EMA studies feasible but with a 67.15% mean completion rate.

Torous⁤ emphasized the importance⁣ of both passive and active data collection, noting that sensor ⁤data provided
higher⁣ quality and consistency compared to surveys.

“One thing ⁢that we’ve quickly learned in anyone who’s looked at these digital biomarkers, especially derived
⁢ ⁣ from smartphones⁣ is, the ⁢biomarkers are⁣ only ⁣as good⁤ as the data they’re collected on,” Torous said.

Researchers expect that subsequent data clustering will provide a clearer understanding of the ⁢differences
‍ between those at ⁢high clinical risk and controls regarding participation level, psychosis symptoms, and comorbid
⁣ anxiety and depression.

“People with psychosis ⁤are⁤ people,” Torous said. “They use smartphones. They⁤ use technology.”

he concluded that technology can increase access to care, regardless of who you are, and people are open to
it.

What’s next

Future analysis will focus on clustering data to compare participation levels, psychosis symptoms,⁤ and comorbid
‍ conditions between high-risk individuals and control groups.This will help refine the app’s ability to accurately
‍ assess schizophrenia risk and provide personalized mental health support.