Relapse identification in severe mental illness using smartphone app

Severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression are among the most common causes of disability and reduced life expectancy. They typically follow an episodic course, with relatively symptom-free phases and relapses.  Relapses appear to cause neurobiological changes, which increase the likelihood of future relapses.

Current clinical monitoring methods are very costly and rely on retrospective assessments, which often do not reflect actual psychological functioning or the course of the illness. For these reasons, a treatment strategy based on continuous data collection has the potential to contribute to safer and more acceptable treatment approaches for people with severe mental disorders.

In this project, the aim of our researchers is to launch a study to develop an application that supports the relapse prevention approach by identifying early warning signs on a day-to-day basis and to improve the management of these illnesses in daily clinical practice.

Discreet monitoring helps patients and carers to be aware of the increased risk of relapse and enables the activation of a rapid and appropriate management strategy. In this project, our scientists are actively collaborating with the Fribourg mental health network.

Acknowledgments

This second study is supported by a generous foundation that wishes to remain anonymous. We sincerely thank this foundation for its invaluable support.