Development and evaluation of a mobile-optimized daily self-rating depression screening app: A preliminary study

Abstract

The aims of this study were to design a mobile app that would record daily self-reported Korean version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (K-CESD-R) ratings in a “Yes” or “No” format, develop two different algorithms for converting mobile K-CESD-R scores in a binary format into scores in a 5-point response format, and determine which algorithm would be more appropriately applied to the newly developed app. Algorithm (A) was designed to improve the scoring system of the 2-week delayed retrospective recall-based original K-CESD-R scale, and algorithm (B) was designed to further refine the scoring of the 24-hour delayed prospective recall-based mobile K-CESD-R scale applied with algorithm (A). To calculate total mobile K-CESD-R scores, each algorithm applied certain cut-off criteria for a 5-point scale with different inter-point intervals, defined by the ratio of the total number of times that users responded “Yes” to each item to the number of days that users reported daily depressive symptom ratings during the 2-week study period. Twenty participants were asked to complete a K-CESD-R Mobile assessment daily for 2 weeks and an original K-CESD-R assessment delivered to their e-mail accounts at the end of the 2-week study period. There was a significant difference between original and mobile algorithm (B) scores but not between original and mobile algorithm (A) scores. Of the 20 participants, 4 scored at or above the cut-off criterion (≥13) on either the original K-CESD-R (n = 4) or the mobile K-CESD-R converted with algorithm (A) (n = 3) or algorithm (B) (n = 1). However, all participants were assessed as being below threshold for a diagnosis of a mental disorder during a clinician-administered diagnostic interview. Therefore, the K-CESD-R Mobile app using algorithm (B) could be a more potential candidate for a depression screening tool than the K-CESD-R Mobile app using algorithm (A).

Validation of an mHealth App for Depression Screening and Monitoring (Psychologist in a Pocket): Correlational Study and Concurrence Analysis

“…First, PiaP, as it employs EMA, does its evaluation with a time stamp upon the exact occurrence of the symptoms using text analysis. Chung et al [62] designed a mobile app that recorded daily self-reported ratings for the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale–Revised (K-CESD-R). Although the K-CESD-R Mobile app was completed by their 20 participants every day for 2 weeks to avoid recall bias, it still did not employ EMA real-time measurement unlike PiaP.…”

“…Third, PiaP applied congruent construct validation to determine whether its construct of depressive symptoms corresponds to the depression construct of established psychological measures for depression. In Chung et al [62] and BinDhim et al [65] studies, each used only 1 test—K-CESD-R and PHQ-9, respectively as a basis for the electronic (mobile app) version. In the case of PiaP, aside from using CES-D Scale to determine construct validation of the PiaP lexicon, the researchers also used BDI-II, considered to be the gold standard in depression identification [66].…”

Literature Review of the Usefulness of Smartphone for the Evaluation and Treatment of Mental Disorders

“…Sixty-seven copies of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Calgary Depression Scale (CDS) were administered to 36 patients with schizophrenia for a week; there was a moderate to strong correlation between traditional paper and pencil rating, the PANSS, and the CDS. Chung et al [10] developed the Korean version of the CESD-Revised and evaluated its usefulness among 20 participants. The evaluation of mental symptoms using smartphones is expected to increase rapidly owing not only to their convenience, promptness, and accessibility but also reliability.…”

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“…CESD-R angļu valodas versija tiek administrēta dokumenta versijā, internetā, telefoniski un telefona aplikācijās. Skala ir tulkota un adaptēta dažādās valodās (Chung, 2018;Koziara, 2016;Eaton et al, 2011). CESD-R skalas angļu valodas versija ir publicēta internetā kopā ar programmā iestrādātu aprēķina algoritmu, kas ļauj ikvienai personai izvērtēt savu stāvokli un vajadzības gadījumā vērsties pēc palīdzības.…”