Prof Dan Joyce provided an overview of three M-RIC research work packages - Mental Health Avatar, Innovative Therapies for Mood Disorders and Improving mental health for children and young people using digital technology.

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M-RIC collaborates on ground-breaking study into monitoring eating disorders through smart devices 

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and M-RIC are collaborating with Univa Health on a new landmark clinical study, ‘The Use of Smart Devices in Capturing Biomarkers in Eating Disorders’.   

The study aims to redefine eating disorder monitoring through non-invasive, data-driven digital biomarkers.

Professor Dan Joyce, Director of Research and Innovation at Mersey Care and a work package lead within M-RIC, acted as chief investigator for the smart devices study.

The study aligns with M-RIC’s research packages on child and adolescent digital mental health and mental health avatars in which researchers examine how a variety of different digital tools can be used to support children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges, such as eating disorders.

‘The Use of Smart Devices in Capturing Biomarkers in Eating Disorders’ will examine how we can use smartphone technology to create digital biomarkers.

Digital biomarkers are methods for indirectly measuring physiological and behavioural features, such as weight changes, blood pressure, hydration status, mood, anxiety and emotional distress. These can be used to explain, influence and predict health-related outcomes which can help clinicians better understand patient’s physical and mental health.

Professor Dan Joyce said: “This study is about much more than a new monitoring tool. It’s about building a foundational platform that will change how we understand, monitor, and treat eating disorders. Our goal is to reduce the burden on patients and provide clinicians with more timely, accurate and data-driven insights to improve care.”

Historically, methods of monitoring eating disorders can be perceived as invasive and distressing for patients. By collecting these features using non-contact technology, the study offers more personalised, proactive care while reducing the strain on both patients and clinical resources.

Prof Dan Joyce added: “It is projects like this that are the life blood of M-RIC. By collecting rich data from such a diverse group of patients, we’re not just developing a technology—we’re building a clinical evidence base that could transform the standard of care for eating disorders, making it both more effective and inclusive.”

Rich Andrews, CEO and Co-Founder of Univa Health said: “At Univa, we believe in harnessing technology to bridge the gap between possibility and practicality in healthcare. By leveraging smart devices to create real-time, data-driven insights, we’re breaking down barriers to personalised care. Our goal is to give patients greater agency in their recovery journey while equipping clinicians with the tools they need to make timely, informed decisions.”

Mersey Care is one of nine NHS hospital trusts in which the study will be conducted. The aim is to collect data from a broad population spanning children, adolescents, and adults with varying severities of eating disorders to ensure inclusion and diversity is at the heart of the study. Dr Ashish Kumar, a Consultant Psychiatrist at Mersey Care and work package lead at M-RIC, is spearheading the implementation of the study within children’s eating disorder services at the Trust sites in Warrington, Halton, Knowsley and St Helens.