Are electronic diaries useful for symptoms research? A systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate electronic diaries as a tool for investigating associations between physical symptoms and psychological variables.


METHODS
A qualitative systematic review of electronic diary studies in pain and symptoms research was performed.


RESULTS
Studies of electronic diary use report good acceptability and accuracy of data recording. A descriptive classification of the findings of electronic diary studies yielded five categories: experience, recording data when symptoms were present; interaction, testing the relationship between variables at different levels; sequential, observing associations at different time lags; process, recording possible mediating constructs such as catastrophization and self-efficacy; and intervention, recording during treatment to identify trends. Most data from diary studies suggest relatively weak associations between variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Electronic diaries are a potentially valuable tool for psychosomatic research. We suggest further possibilities for their use.
Burton
Christopher
C
Division of Community Health Sciences, General Practice Section, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. chris.burton@ed.ac.uk
Weller
David
D
Sharpe
Michael
M
D034201:Computers, Handheld; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology