For common instruments such as the CES-D , MADRS-S and HADS there is mounting evidence for adequate psychometric properties .
Background Online question naires for measuring common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders are increasingly used .
The psychometrics of several pen- and -paper question naires have been re-examined for online use and new online instruments have been developed and tested for validity as well .
This study aims to review and synthesis e the literature on this subject and provide a framework for future research .
The feasibility and validity of ambulatory self-report of psychotic symptoms using a smartphone software application
Background Semi-structured interview scales for psychosis are the gold st and ard approach to assessing psychotic and other symptoms . However , such assessment s have limitations such as recall bias , averaging , insensitivity to change and variable interrater reliability . Ambulant , real-time self-report assessment devices may hold advantages over interview measures , but it needs to be shown that the data thus collected are valid , and the collection method is acceptable , feasible and safe . We report on a monitoring system for the assessment of psychosis using smartphone technology . The primary aims were to : i ) assess validity through correlations of item responses with those on widely accepted interview assessment s of psychosis , and ii ) examine compliance to the procedure in individuals with psychosis of varying severity . Methods A total of 44 participants ( acute or remitted DSM-4 schizophrenia and related disorders , and prodromal ) completed 14 branching self-report items concerning key psychotic symptoms on a touch-screen mobile phone when prompted by an alarm at six pseudo-r and om times , each day , for one week . Face to face PANSS and CDS interviews were conducted before and after the assessment period blind to the ambulant data . Results Compliance as defined by completion of at least 33 % of all possible data -points over seven days was 82 % . In the 36 compliant participants , 5 items ( delusions , hallucinations , suspiciousness , anxiety , hopelessness ) showed moderate to strong ( rho 0.6 - 0.8 ) associations with corresponding items from interview rating scales . Four items showed no significant correlation with rating scales : each was an item based on observable behaviour . Ambulant ratings showed excellent test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change . Conclusions Ambulatory monitoring of symptoms several times daily using smartphone software applications represents a feasible and valid way of assessing psychotic phenomena for research and clinical management purpose s. Further evaluation required over longer assessment periods , in clinical trials and service setting
For common instruments such as the CES-D , MADRS-S and HADS there is mounting evidence for adequate psychometric properties .
Background Online question naires for measuring common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders are increasingly used .
The psychometrics of several pen- and -paper question naires have been re-examined for online use and new online instruments have been developed and tested for validity as well .
This study aims to review and synthesis e the literature on this subject and provide a framework for future research .