Wearables for mental health: separating fantasy from reality

TL;DR - Can wearables improve our mental health ??????? I say Yes. But it’s important to separate fantasy from reality. While there are wearables available today that purport mental health benefits, scientific proof of efficacy is still limited. That said, research suggests promising future applications of wearables in treating mental health conditions. I make 2 predictions at the end of this newsletter.

Author’s note: As part of a recurring Business of Play theme for this newsletter, I look into wearables. Mostly related to mental health, and a little bit related to play.

“Sorry, but what is a diadem?” asked Ron.? “It’s a kind of crown,” said Terry Boot. “Ravenclaw’s was supposed to have magical properties, enhance the wisdom of the wearer.”? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

This past weekend, my family and I were listening in the car to the incomparable Jim Dale’s gripping reading of the final Harry Potter book. Minor spoiler alert! In the rising action, Harry, Ron and Hermione went looking for a wearable device. J.K. Rowling didn’t call it a wearable, of course. The wizarding trio were looking for a special artifact: a diadem that would bestow wisdom on whoever wore it. In essence, though, it was a magical wearable to improve cognition ??.??

Ravenclaw’s diadem exists only in the realm of fantasy. But real-world wearables do promise a kind of magic. They transform our bodies’ subtle signals into recommendations and therapies to improve our fitness, our sleep, our metabolism.?

Can wearables also improve our mental health?

I recently discussed this question with a friend. My short answer: Yes, but it’s important to separate fantasy from reality.?

I say Yes for two reasons.?

1. Mental health is deeply connected to both physical health and metabolic health. Wearables are already a proven way to collect biometric data that’s physical (example: Fitbit) and metabolic (example: Levels).
2. Some mental health conditions have scientifically-proven biomarkers that could be monitored by a wearable (example: the stress hormone cortisol), which could then recommend appropriate therapies

Plus, there are currently wearables that address aspects of mental health. Wearables like the Oura ring and Whoop fitness coach make self-care recommendations based on biometric data about your sleep and recovery cycles. In fact, there are even wearables on the market designed specifically for mental health. One example is Apollo Neuro, marketed as a “stress release wearable [that] helps you relax, sleep better, and feel better.”

In addition, Apple is reportedly adding an AI health coach and mood tracker to its Apple Health portfolio, using biometric and other data from Apple Watch or iPhone.

Fantasy vs. Reality

The challenge is that with the mental health wearables on the market today, there seems to be more fantasy than reality. The science on wearables for mental health is still fairly limited. The efficacy hasn’t been proven at the level of a clinical trial that pharma companies need in order to gain FDA approval. An article on Harvard Health Publishing’s website about one specific mental health wearable also illustrates the general challenge of proving efficacy: “Without solid evidence it's impossible to know whether any of the claims made by the makers . . .? are true.” The reality? It’s still early days for mental health wearables.?

What does the future hold??

That said, research does suggest promising future applications of wearables in treating mental health conditions.?As one example, a study by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai showed that “data collected passively from wearable devices can identify a patient’s degree of resilience and well-being . . . without requiring the completion of mental health questionnaires.” Wearables could therefore perform an important role in enabling more people to access mental health screenings and tracking the efficacy of care.?

Given the magnitude of mental health challenges globally, I expect there will be significantly more investment in the near future to a) extend today’s wearable technology into mental health and b) develop new wearable technology specifically for mental health. Strong privacy features will be essential, given the sensitivity of the personal data these wearables would capture.?

Here are my 2 predictions for the future of mental health wearables:?

1. More wearables companies will integrate mental health into their offerings. For fitness wearables, it would be natural to add digital mental wellness programs to complement the fitness programs. Wearables that enable play, for example sports performance wearables, could make personalized mental wellness recommendations based on the individual wearer’s data.? Metabolic health wearables could make personalized recommendations on dietary changes that could reduce stress, anxiety, depression etc.??
2. Cognitive testing is currently done via a conversation with a medical caregiver, on paper, or on computer/tablet. Wearables could also play a role in the future in real-time screening for cognitive impairment, perhaps for example with early detection of neurodegenerative diseases that progress over time.