Monitoring and treatment in patients with bipolar disorder using smartphones—New perspectives for improved quality in patient care

Abstract

The rapid international growth in access to and capabilities of mobile and wireless technologies (mHealth) presents a feasible route towards augmenting traditional mental health care. The interest in mHealth science in psychiatry has been further heightened by the acknowledged potential for these tools to improve individual risk prediction and diagnostic precision, as well as improved treatment options. We have conducted research within smartphone-based monitoring and treatment in patients with bipolar disorder through the last decade. We conclude that the technological capabilities of smartphones are already changing mental health care and is accompanied by an early but promising evidence base. However, further efforts towards strengthening the evidence and implementation must be addressed for digital mental health technologies to truly improve mental health research and treatment in the future.