"Machine Learning Analysis of Lingual Colorimetry and MADRS Anxiety-Depression Score in Acupuncture Patients"
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Anxiety Disorders. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- France
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Machine Learning Analysis of Lingual Colorimetry and MADRS Score in Acupuncture Patients: a Prospective Observational Study
Overview
This observational study aims to assess the potential relationship between tongue colorimetry (using standardized photographic techniques) and anxiety-depression scores measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) in acupuncture patients. Data will be analyzed using machine learning methods to determine whether tongue color features correlate with MADRS scores, possibly contributing to a novel, non-invasive diagnostic tool for anxiety and depression assessment in clinical practice. Participation involves only tongue photography and completion of questionnaires, without any invasive procedures or treatment modifications.
Detailed description
This prospective observational study investigates the correlation between lingual colorimetry, captured using readily available and standardized modern photographic tools (iPhone cameras), and anxiety-depression scores evaluated by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) among patients attending routine acupuncture consultations.
Participants will undergo a simple and non-invasive photographic recording of their tongue using an iPhone, ensuring consistent lighting and standardized positioning to minimize variability. Simultaneously, participants will complete the MADRS questionnaire, a widely validated instrument for assessing anxiety and depression severity. No invasive procedures or therapeutic interventions beyond their usual acupuncture care will be performed.
The acquired photographic data will be analyzed using machine learning algorithms to identify potential predictive relationships between distinct colorimetric characteristics of the tongue and the MADRS scores. The objective is to determine whether lingual imaging could serve as a reliable, non-invasive biomarker or complementary diagnostic tool for assessing psychological status in clinical practice.
This approach leverages everyday technology (smartphones), promoting ease of replication and broader accessibility in clinical environments. Ultimately, findings from this study could facilitate early detection and monitoring of anxiety-depressive disorders, thus enhancing individualized patient care in complementary and integrative medicine.
Primary outcome measures
- Correlation using Machine Learning between Tongue Colorimetric Features and MADRS Scores [Time frame: Baseline (single evaluation at enrollment)]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- Machine Learning Analysis of Tongue Features and MADRS Scores [Time frame: Baseline (single evaluation at enrollment)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Patients aged 18 years or older
- Native French speakers
- No medical conditions or medications affecting tongue coloration
- Consulting for acupuncture with symptoms involving an anxious component
Exclusion criteria
- Presence of psychosis or substance abuse
- Eating or taking medication within one hour before the examination
- Refusal to complete the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) questionnaire
- Refusal to have their tongue photographed
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
France · 1 center
- Cabinet Médical d'Acupuncture — Narbonne
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06899490 · ML_AcuTongue_MADRS_01