Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently experience cognitive problems such as inattention and memory complaints. These are often under-recognized and can affect patients’ functioning in work and other aspects of their daily life. High frequency, near-patient testing may aid communication between patients and clinicians by overcoming challenges such as recall bias.

The utility of wearable devices for near-patient testing was investigated in a collaboration between Cognition Kit and Takeda. The study focused on the feasibility, accuracy and acceptability of conducting daily assessments of cognition and mood in patients with MDD, as delivered by an Apple Watch.

The study found that near-patient testing using wearable devices was feasible and well-tolerated by patients with depression, and excellent compliance (94.6% overall) was achieved. Furthermore, good correspondence was seen between data obtained from the watch and full-length patient reported outcomes and cognitive measurement.

In conclusion, Cognition Kit and Takeda have delivered a novel, patient-centric methodology for the frequent assessment of a range of symptoms.

Director of Research and Innovation, Dr Francesca Cormack discussed the implications of the study:

“We are very excited by these data showing that high frequency assessment of cognitive function is possible on wearable devices, and that this testing methodology is acceptable to patients. Being able to characterise cognitive function and mood symptoms outside the clinic or laboratory can provide valuable new insights into how people are impacted by their disease, or indeed their treatment, as they go about their lives.”