One day the clock will tell us that we are depressed. Don't believe it? LivaNova is a medical technology company, e Verily is a subsidiary of A focused on healthcare. Together announce to have enrolled the first patient for their collaborative study on depression. This is a pilot study called UNCOVER, which will provide parameters for subsequent ones.
What does UNCOVER consist of?
UNCOVER is a prospective, multicenter, blinded randomized controlled study that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of a method called VNS Therapy®. It is a supportive therapy for people with treatment-resistant depression. With Verily's technology-enabled research tools, UNCOVER evaluates the real-world effectiveness of this new approach.
Inseparable companions: smartwatches and apps
Study participants will use two new digital tools developed by Verily: a multi-sensor wearable device (Really Study Watch) and an application for Android smartphones (Verily Mood App). Verily instruments measure passive and active data, such as the participant's pulse rate, activity levels, and sleep quality. The Mood app will also allow participants to record voice diaries to more accurately assess episodes of depression and their effect on daily life.
"After detailed planning with our colleagues at LivaNova, we are delighted to have launched the UNCOVER study. Above all, we are delighted to have enrolled the first participant," says Dr. William Marks, Verily's head of clinical and neurological science.
Our tools will collect behavioral, environmental and physiological data from study participants. The goal is to paint a clearer picture of depressive episodes and the impact that depression has on the individual's life.
William Marks, Verily
Depression: When drugs alone are not enough
Quantitative data obtained from these Verily tools will complement the clinical findings collected in the study, providing clinicians with a more complete view of whether each patient's depression is improving, staying the same, or getting worse.
Depression continues to be a major global health problem and an area in need of more effective treatment. It goes without saying that Covid-19 was a strong accelerator: during the lockdown Levels of anxiety, depression and stress-related symptoms have increased everywhere, especially in women.
"For as many as one in three patients, medication alone may not be enough to combat difficult-to-treat depression," he says Damien McDonald, managing director of LivaNova. "As we wait to confirm the effectiveness of VNS therapy in treating depression, we hope to learn even more through UNCOVER so we can provide the most effective treatment for this disorder."
