Exploring the Feasibility of Digital Phenotyping in a Military Population

Exploring the Feasibility of Digital Phenotyping in a Military Population Lauren S. Schultz1, Mikela A. Murphy1, Matthew F. Thompson1, Jonathan Knights2, Justin T. Baker2, Joshua C. Gray1 1Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, 2Mindstrong Health, Inc., 303 Bryant Ave, Mountain View, CA 94041, USA INTRODUCTION • Mobile devices and wearable technology offer novel opportunities for researchers to collect moment-to-moment data points to estimate fluctuations in psychological and cognitive functioning (i.e., digital phenotyping) 1 • Studies utilizing passive data collection methods tend to experience greater sample retention and improved adherence and acceptance than studies utilizing active data collection due to less participant burden2 • Because of the presence of several help-seeking barriers in the military, data collection via digital phenotyping may provide valuable insight into mental health of military populations and offer a unique pathway to early intervention AIM: This study sought to investigate the feasibility of digital phenotyping in service members and veterans. RESULTS DISCUSSION • 100% of participants were willing to download and launch the app • All participants completed all 3 appointments, 0% attrition • Only one participant discontinued use of the app due to security concerns (i.e., concerns regarding what type of data would be collected from the app) • “The app has been a nuisance on the phone and I am not comfortable with the data collections portion of the app beyond surveys or task specific evaluation.” • While 3 participants complained of keyboard issues (e.g., different location of letter keys, typos), 2 participants discontinued use of the app due to keyboard issues after downloading the app • Keyboard issues were only reported by iOS users because the keys of the app’s keyboard are in a different location • There are unique security concerns related to data security within a military pop
RITM0016585
Mobile devices and wearable technology offer novel opportunities for researchers to collect moment-tomoment data points to estimate fluctuations in psychological and cognitive functioning (i.e., digital phenotyping) Studies utilizing passive data collection methods tend to experience greater sample retention and improved adherence and acceptance than studies utilizing active data collection due to less participant burden2 Because of the presence of several help-seeking barriers in the military, data collection via digital phenotyping may provide valuable insight into mental health of military populations and offer a unique pathway to early intervention AIM: This study sought to investigate the feasibility of digital phenotyping in service members and veterans.