The Use of Smart Devices in Capturing Digital Biomarkers in Eating Disorders

This study aims to explore how smart devices can be used to monitor the health of individuals with eating disorders. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that impact both mental and physical health. Effective monitoring is crucial for developing treatment plans and ensuring the safety of individuals both in hospitals and at home. Currently, healthcare professionals use manual methods to measure important health indicators like heart rate, blood pressure, and BMI. These methods can be time-consuming and may not always accurately reflect a patient's health due to the possibility of patients concealing the severity of their condition. Furthermore, monitoring at home is challenging due to the lack of professional equipment and training for caregivers. With advancements in digital technology, smartphones and smartwatches now have the potential to collect and analyse health data in real-time. These devices can capture data on heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and other vital signs through non-invasive methods like analysing facial and fingertip blood volume, namely the photoplethysmography technology. Additionally, video recordings from smartphone cameras can be used to assess physical and mental health by analysing facial expressions, voice patterns, and physical movements. By utilising these digital tools, combined with validated questionnaires and tasks to assess participants' psychological status and the severity of disorders, this study expects to create a more efficient and accessible way for individuals with eating disorders to monitor their health at home. The study will collect data from participants both in hospital settings and during outpatient care to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of these digital methods across participants with different levels of severity. This comprehensive approach aims to improve early detection of health issues, optimise treatment plans, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for individuals with eating disorders.