Monitoring Sleep Changes via a Smartphone App in Bipolar Disorder

Practical Issues and Validation of a Potential Diagnostic Tool

Bibliographic Data

ID15526499
AuthorsFrederike T Fellendorf (0000-0001-7215-3848, Medical University of Graz), Carlo Hamm (Medical University of Graz), Nina Dalkner (0000-0001-7716-3674, Medical University of Graz), Martina Platzer (Medical University of Graz, corresponding author), Matteo C Sattler (0000-0002-0689-1938, University of Graz), Susanne Bengesser (0000-0001-8012-908X, Medical University of Graz), Susanne A Bengesser, Melanie Lenger (Medical University of Graz), René Pilz (Medical University of Graz), Armin Birner (0000-0002-5047-6264, Medical University of Graz), Robert Queissner (0000-0001-6632-0902, Medical University of Graz), Adelina Tmava‐Berisha (0000-0002-5068-5947, Medical University of Graz), Adelina Tmava-Berisha, Michaela Ratzenhofer (Medical University of Graz), Alexander Maget (Medical University of Graz), Mireille N M Van Poppel (0000-0001-5694-4324, University of Graz), Eva Z Reininghaus (0000-0001-5964-4087, Medical University of Graz)
Year2021
Volume12
Publication date2021-03-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.641241
OpenAlexW3138986987
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited44

Background: Sleep disturbances are common early warning signs of an episode of bipolar disorder, and early recognition can favorably impact the illness course. Symptom monitoring via a smartphone app is an inexpensive and feasible method to detect an early indication of changes such as sleep. The study aims were (1) to assess the acceptance of apps and (2) to validate sleeping times measured by the smartphone app UP! . Methods: UP! was used by 22 individuals with bipolar disorder and 23 controls. Participants recorded their time of falling asleep and waking-up using UP! for 3 weeks. Results were compared to a validated accelerometer and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Additionally, participants were interviewed regarding early warning signs and their feedback for apps as monitoring tools in bipolar disorder (NCT03275714). Results: With UP! , our study did not find strong reservations concerning data protection or continual smartphone usage. Correlation analysis demonstrates UP! to be a valid tool for measuring falling asleep and waking-up times. Discussion: Individuals with bipolar disorder assessed the measurement of sleep disturbances as an early warning sign with a smartphone as positive. The detection of early signs could change an individual's behavior and strengthen self-management. The study showed that UP! can be used to measure changes in sleep durations accurately. Further investigation of smartphone apps' impact to measure other early signs could significantly contribute to clinical treatment and research in the future through objective, continuous, and individual data collection

Bipolar disorder · Cognition · Insomnia · Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index · Psychiatry · Sleep (system call · Sleep quality · Smartphone app · Warning signs · Bipolar Disorder and Treatment · Computer Science · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Psychology · Sleep and related disorders

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access