Biobehavioral Sensing for Objective Evaluation of OCD Patients

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts that trigger compulsive actions. While OCD is associated with significant disability, there are currently no objective markers for screening, diagnosis, or tracking of treatment progression in OCD patients. This is especially troublesome given reliance on subjective measurements and patient-reported outcomes. Here, to advance existing assessment approaches, the authors propose the utilization of engineering tools to objectively track the physiological, kinetic, behavioral, and affective state of individuals with OCD to aid in their clinical management. The utilization of these tools to aid in human measurements is termed biobehavioral sensing. Although the data are preliminary, the authors believe that these blueprints may be implemented in the near future to aid in the screening, diagnosis, and management of OCD. Furthermore, these ideas may also be expanded to assist in the care of patients with other mental health disorders.