Validation of accelerometry as a digital phenotyping measure of negative symptoms in schizophrenia

Negative symptoms are commonly assessed via clinical rating scales; however, these measures have several inherent limitations that impact validity and utility for their use in clinical trials. Objective digital phenotyping measures that overcome some of these limitations are now available. The current study evaluated the validity of accelerometry (ACL), a passive digital phenotyping method that involves collecting data on the presence, vigor, and variability of movement. Outpatients with schizophrenia (SZ: n = 50) and demographically matched healthy controls (CN: n = 70) had ACL continuously recorded from a smartphone and smartband for 6 days. Active digital phenotyping assessments, including surveys related to activity context, were also collected via 8 daily surveys throughout the 6 day period. SZ participants had lower scores on phone ACL variables reflecting vigor and variability of movement compared to CN. ACL variables demonstrated convergent validity as indicated by significant correlations with active digital phenotyping self-reports of time spent in goal-directed activities and clinical ratings of negative symptoms. The discriminant validity of ACL was demonstrated by low correlations with clinical rating scale measures of positive, disorganized, and total symptoms. Collectively, findings suggest that ACL is a valid objective measure of negative symptoms that may complement traditional approaches to assessing the construct using clinical rating scales.