Abstract
This study assesses the early effectiveness of esketamine nasal spray (ESK) in adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) 1 day after the first administration, as monitored through self-assessment via the mobile application, Esketamine Continuing Assessment for Relapse Prevention (EsCARe). In this multi-center, open-label, single-arm study, adults aged 18-65 years diagnosed with TRD after failing at least two antidepressant therapies were enrolled from five tertiary hospitals in South Korea. During the induction period, participants self-administered ESK twice weekly and used the EsCARe app daily to record mood, sleep, and somatic symptoms. Key clinical assessments, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), were measured at baseline and at weeks 2 and 4. The reliability and validity of EsCARe was assessed. The treatment results indicated significant improvements in depressive and anxiety symptoms, with notable reductions in the PHQ-9 and the GAD-7 by week 2, and the HAMD by week 4. The EsCARe app reliably and validly monitored depressive symptoms and demonstrated a significant reduction in depressive symptoms 1 day after the first administration of ESK. Using ESK, complemented by mobile self-monitoring, effectively reduces the symptoms of TRD early in the treatment course. Integrating mobile health technology into the therapeutic regimen highlights a significant advancement in managing TRD, offering patients and clinicians immediate feedback on treatment efficacy.