Ambulatory Assessment in Mental Health Research: Expert Consensus on Current Practices and Future Directions

Löchner J, Santangelo PS, Ansell E, Bolger N, Ebner-Priemer U, Fried E, Gawrilow C, Hamaker E, Hepp-Kieslich J, Kaurin A, Kirtley OJ, Kubiak T, Kuppens P, Laurenceau JP, Myin-Germeys I, Neubauer AB, Schneider S, Schuller B, Shiffman S, Smyth JM, Stachl C, Trull TJ, Wright AG, Wrzus C, Zimmermann J, Seizer L (2025)

Publication Status: Submitted

Publication Type: Unpublished / Preprint

Future Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Publisher: PsyArXiv

DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/mhb5g_v1

Abstract

Ambulatory Assessment (AA) studies have proliferated in mental health science,promising unparalleled insights into the dynamic nature of mental health. Thehigh methodological heterogeneity of AA studies calls for the harmonization ofapproaches and the establishment of research standards. This expert consensusprovides an overview of best-practice recommendations to integrate AA in mentalhealth research. We queried 26 experts in the field in a Delphi-adapted process,resulting  in  recommendations  regarding  eight  topics,  encompassing  method-ological considerations, technological advancements, and practical applications;interdisciplinary collaboration and personalized treatment approaches were recur-rent  themes.  By  establishing  standardized  guidelines  and  best  practices,  thisexpert consensus serves as a resource for mental health scholars seeking to lever-age AA tools in research and practice. Ultimately, the integration of AA holdspromise for revolutionizing mental health care, fostering precision medicine, andimproving outcomes for individuals living with mental disorders.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Leiden University Netherlands (NL) Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) / Catholic University of Leuven Belgium (BE) Ohio State University United States (USA) (US) University of Pittsburgh United States (USA) (US) University of Southern California (USC) United States (USA) (US) University of Michigan United States (USA) (US) Technische Universität München (TUM) Germany (DE) University of Delaware (UDEL) United States (USA) (US) Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU) Germany (DE) University of Luxembourg Luxembourg (LU) Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen Germany (DE) University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) United States (USA) (US) Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) United States (USA) (US) Universiteit Utrecht (UU) / Utrecht University Netherlands (NL) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Germany (DE) Universität Kassel Germany (DE) Bergische Universität Wuppertal Germany (DE) Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg Germany (DE) Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen Germany (DE) Columbia University United States (USA) (US) Universität St.Gallen Switzerland (CH) Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Löchner, J., Santangelo, P.S., Ansell, E., Bolger, N., Ebner-Priemer, U., Fried, E.,... Seizer, L. (2025). Ambulatory Assessment in Mental Health Research: Expert Consensus on Current Practices and Future Directions. (Unpublished, Submitted).

MLA:

Löchner, Johanna, et al. Ambulatory Assessment in Mental Health Research: Expert Consensus on Current Practices and Future Directions. Unpublished, Submitted. 2025.

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