Passive sensing of anhedonia and amotivation in a transdiagnostic sample.

Abstract

Anhedonia and avolition are core clinical features of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, which have been traditionally assessed using clinical rating scales. However, recent developments in mobile technology allow for measurement of anhedonia and amotivation using passive sensors (e.g., global positioning system and actigraphy) and surveys completed in daily life (i.e., ecological momentary assessment [EMA]). The current study examined associations between clinical rating scales assessing anhedonia and amotivation and passive sensing measures. We aimed to determine the added value of passive sensing measures in explaining variability in clinical interviews, compared to models using EMA alone. We recruited a transdiagnostic sample (schizophrenia = 41, bipolar disorder = 47, and major depressive disorder = 48) to complete an in-person assessment session, as well as a 2-week EMA and passive sensing protocol. Passive sensing measures included physical distance traveled, number of phone calls sent/received, and number of texts sent/received. EMA included the assessment of interest and enjoyment in daily activities. We found that reports of interest/enjoyment in daily activities significantly predicted gold standard, clinical rating scales of anhedonia and avolition across diagnostic groups (standardized β = -0.208, p = .015, model R2 = .04). Including participant distance traveled into this model aided our ability to explain variance (standardized β = -0.280, p < .001, model R² = .12). Finally, adding call (standardized β = -0.170, p = .039) and text (standardized β = -0.198, p = .022) data further improved variance explained (model R² = .18). These data suggest that passive sensor streams strengthen the associations between assessments in daily life and gold standard ratings of anhedonia and avolition, suggesting "added value" in using these approaches to understand motivational experience in people with psychotic and mood pathology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).