A Simple Smartphone Game Could Revolutionize Depression Diagnosis

Millions of people worldwide live with depression, yet diagnosis still depends heavily on patient questionnaires and self-reports. Now, researchers at NYU Langone Health have proposed a new approach that could change this reliance on subjective accounts. The team studied 120 volunteers, half of whom had a depression diagnosis. In a virtual game, participants collected apples from trees that gradually lost fruit. Healthy individuals typically switched to a new tree when only 4-5 apples remained. Those with depression, however, waited until 8-9 apples were left before moving on.

A second experiment involved estimating the value of snacks. Both groups earned about $27, but people with depression consistently overestimated their rewards. The study suggests that depression affects how individuals adapt their expectations when conditions change.

Researchers believe this difference could form the basis of an objective test. By assessing anhedonia—a core symptom of depression—the game might help doctors measure the condition and track treatment progress more precisely. The findings point to a potential rapid test for depression using a smartphone game. It would give doctors concrete data rather than relying solely on a patient’s words. This could improve both diagnosis and the evaluation of treatment effectiveness.