A Systematic Review of Studies Comparing Actigraphy Indices in Patients with Depression and Schizophrenia
Introduction: Abnormalities in sleep-wake activities are frequently observed among patients with depression and schizophrenia. These abnormalities are variable and may have discriminative, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic significance if measured objectively with actigraphy. Aim: To system...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/15293/48760_CE[Ra1]_F[SK]_PF1(SC_OM)_PFA(SC_KM)_PN(KM).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: Abnormalities in sleep-wake activities are
frequently observed among patients with depression and
schizophrenia. These abnormalities are variable and may have
discriminative, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic significance
if measured objectively with actigraphy.
Aim: To systematically review the published literature on
actigraphy in depression and schizophrenia, particularly to
identify areas of research that need to be addressed before their
clinical application in practice.
Materials and Methods: The electronic databases (PubMed
and Google Scholar) were searched for studies using the
the key terms ‘actigraphy’ OR ‘actigraphic recording’ OR
‘wrist actigraphy’ OR ‘actometer’ OR ‘actimeter’ OR ‘actical’
OR ‘actiwatch’ OR ‘sleep-watch’ AND ‘schizoaffective’ OR
‘schizophr*’ OR ‘psychosis’ AND ‘depression’ OR ‘depressive’
in title and abstract. The literature search was limited to articles
published in English and until 31st December, 2020. Data were
abstracted by two reviewers and presented as a narrative
summary of the findings. A qualitative synthesis of the study
designs, populations, and outcomes was conducted. The
quantitative synthesis of the results was not possible to conduct
due to the heterogeneity and scarcity of the included studies.
Results: Out of 33 searched articles, a total of four studies
(three observational and one case report) were included for
the review. The included studies were heterogeneous, small in
sample size, divergent in methods, inclusive of clinical population,
having more than two groups (depression, schizophrenia,
mania, or bipolar disorders), and with a low degree of evidence.
Overall, the patients with schizophrenia have more structured
and less complex activity pattern than those with depression.
Furthermore, the patients with schizophrenia showed more
irregular patterns in the morning period and increased fluctuations
inactivity in the evening period than depression patients.
Conclusion: Currently, available information is insufficient to
draw firm conclusions on use of actigraphy indices (e.g., duration
of active periods, a pattern of activity, and sleep) for diagnosis
and discrimination among the patients with schizophrenia and
depression. Large, prospective, and comparative studies are
required to identify role of actigraphy among these patients. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |