New research shows veterans with serious mental illness are embracing wearable technology to help manage their conditions.
Fifteen veterans from the Greater Los Angeles VA system used devices like fitness trackers for up to a month. The study focused on those with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or PTSD.
Participants reported the devices helped them monitor sleep, heart rate, stress, and activity levels. Many said tracking these metrics boosted their awareness of overall well-being. Some even increased physical activity and developed healthier routines.
Patients had no concerns about privacy or sharing their health data with doctors. Researchers note the data could help inform better treatment decisions.
However, challenges remain. Technical issues with companion smartphone apps, discomfort from wearing the devices for long periods, and questions about accuracy-especially for complex symptoms like anxiety or early relapse-were noted.
The authors suggest larger studies are needed to confirm if integrating patient-generated data can improve clinical outcomes.