title: Detecting improvements in acute psychotic symptoms using experience sampling methodology.
abstract: This study aimed to explore the feasibility and validity of using experience sampling methodology (ESM, or ecological momentary assessment or mobile device signaling) to measure temporal changes and fluctuations in psychotic symptoms in patients with acute psychosis at the start of antipsychotic treatment. Twenty-six in-patients with delusions were assessed within 2 weeks of starting antipsychotic treatment using ESM on a personal digital assistant (PDA), seven times a day for 14 consecutive days. They were also interviewed at baseline, 1 week and 2 weeks after using standardized symptom measures. Sixteen patients (61.5%) completed at least one-third of the entries, with a compliance rate of 70.7%. Responses to the ESM items were internally consistent. At baseline, ESM and clinical ratings converged on suspiciousness and images, but not on voices and most of the delusion dimensions. Conducting ESM with patients in an acute episode was found to be feasible and internally valid. There is some divergence in symptom data obtained by ESM and standard symptom interviews, but ESM captures rich information about change that may not be represented by observer ratings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Room 321 Wong Foo Yuan Building, Hong Kong SAR, China. Electronic address: shwso@psy.cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Suzanne Ho-wai
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Emmanuelle Roisin
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swendsen
authors.forename: Philippa Anne
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Garety
authors.forename: Shitij
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kapur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: Antipsychotic treatment; Ecological momentary assessment; Mobile device signaling; Psychosis