Purpose of review: Chronopsychiatry refers to a research and clinical approach which studies psychiatric illness through the lens of circadian rhythms and aims to reset the body's biological clock to counteract circadian rhythm abnormalities in psychiatric disorders. This review highlights the use of circadian biomarkers collected from wearable devices and other methods to help the development of personalized treatment plans based on patients' individual circadian functioning. Circadian biomarkers, such as activity, heart rate, skin temperature, and light exposure recorded over 24 h, has shown promise in diagnosing and assessing the severity of various neuropsychiatric disorders.
Recent findings: Wearable devices capable of recording multiple circadian parameters have greatly aided data collection, and when integrated into treatment, have shown promise for revolutionizing circadian medicine. Therapies that entrain or shift the circadian system can help stabilize sleep-wake rhythms or better align rhythms with the environment.
Summary: These approaches support the emerging field of precision psychiatry, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and addressing the heterogeneity and complexity of psychiatric disorders.
Keywords: Actigraphy; Chronotherapy; Circadian biomarkers; Psychiatric disorders.
© The Author(s) 2026.