Activity trackers allow us to measure our fitness progress, so could similar wearable devices allow us to effectively monitor — and even improve — our mental health?
That’s the question researchers are exploring. They’re intrigued by the gradual embrace of telehealth and the widespread acceptance of digital trackers among people of all ages.
And some researchers, including Nuno Gomes, PhD, and Matilde Pato, PhD, believe the answer is a resounding yes.
After reviewing existing literature, Gomes and Pato, along with their team, published a study in 2023 asserting that wearables could “revolutionize the way we monitor and manage mental health.”
Writing in the journal Sensors, Gomes and Pato laud the ability of these devices to track changes in heart rate, which often signal stress or anxiety, and to monitor sleep quality and social interactions, which may reveal symptoms of depression. The real-time feedback can help individuals identify patterns and the need for intervention.
“Wearable sensors can offer several advantages over traditional methods of mental health assessment, including convenience, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to capture data in real-world settings,” they write.
More recently, a research project led by University of Exeter scientists looked specifically at the use of a cognitive behavioral therapy app among some 3,700 young adults aged 16 to 22. The researchers found the app stabilized depressive symptoms in those at high risk of the disorder but did little to improve the general well-being of those at low risk.
“Our results suggest that even when young people used the self-help app just a few times, there was a small but meaningful benefit,” lead study author Edward Watkins, PhD, notes in a statement. “Because the app is scalable to large numbers of people in a cost-effective way, these effects have potential value as a public health intervention within a broader portfolio of digital and in-person services and interventions.”
This article originally appeared as “Wearable Devices for Mental Health” in the May/June 2025 issue of Experience Life.
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