Motor behavior in depression: Applications and limitations of actigraphic analyses

Objective: Alterations of motor behavior in depression play a key role in p sychosocial activities and interpersonal communication and are relevant for differential diagnosis and treatment. Functions and application of actigra phy and empirical findings in depression will be summarised and discussed. Methods: The current knowledge retrieved from information of manufacturers, Medline, PsycLIT, and PSYN-DEX regarding features of actigraphic equipment and clinical aspects of gross motor analysis in depression was examined. R esults: Actigraphy is a practical method to monitor and quantify gross moto r activity, but setting variables including sensitivity or epoch length var y among commercially available instruments. Measures of motor activity in d epressed patients are used for diagnosis, evaluation of sleep, and predicti on of treatment response. Conclusions: Measurements of motor behavior by ac tigraphy can be used in depression for diagnostic procedures and treatment evaluation. The role of actigraphic setting variables needs further clarifi cation. Actigraphy may be used for behavioral analysis including individual regulation of motor activity as an objective parameter for evaluation of d epression and other psychiatric disorders.