Objective physiological and behavioral measures for identifying and tracking depression state in clinically depressed patients

Abstract

In this study, we demonstrate that we can use non-invasive physiology to diagnose, monitor, and trend clinically significant depression state over long periods of time. Toward these ends, a clinical study in collaboration with the MGH Psychiatry Department is described. In this study, we monitor the long-term continuous physiology and behavior of clinically depressed patients throughout their stay at an in-ward treatment center as they undergo electro-convulsive therapy. We show how noninvasive physiological measures are correlated to depression state and can bed used to track trends in depression state through the course of treatment.