Experience Sampling Method (ESM)

ESM at Maastricht University

Maastricht University is internationally recognized as a leading centre in ESM research. For more than two decades, researchers have contributed to the development of ESM protocols, tools, and analytic methods. We use ESM across a range of domains, including mental health, wellbeing, physical health, and personalized care. Our work includes designing high-quality ESM study methodology, and training researchers, clinicians, and students in the application of ESM in research and practice.

Publications and Learning Opportunities

Our research outcomes are published in leading international journals. A selection of publications can be explored here. We also offer training opportunities, including the ESM Course, which provides hands-on guidance for designing, implementing, and analysing ESM studies:
https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/esm-course

ESM in Clinical Practice

• Monitoring Therapy and Medication
  Daily monitoring through ESM helps identify subtle patterns in symptoms, behaviour, and context. While routine care often lacks tools to track how treatments work in everyday life, ESM provides continuous feedback. This supports evaluation of medication effects, dosage adjustments, and therapeutic strategies across different situations and moments, contributing to more personalized and effective care.
• Supporting Self-Regulation and Shared Decision-Making
  Individuals are experts in their own lives. By collecting real-time data about their experiences, people gain insight into their patterns and progress. This strengthens shared decision-making: patients and clinicians interpret the data together, leading to more balanced communication and treatment choices. ESM thus enhances autonomy, ownership, and engagement in the therapeutic process.
• Prevention and Resilience
  Mental health challenges are common and can significantly impact quality of life. Prevention and resilience-building require timely recognition of early changes and ongoing self-management. ESM supports individuals in identifying early warning signs and maintaining balance during difficult periods. It is a practical and cost-effective means to reduce residual symptoms, support recovery, and lower the risk of relapse also outside formal treatment settings.

Societal Relevance

ESM offers unique insight into people’s lived experience. This knowledge supports more personalized and responsive forms of care, earlier recognition of changes in wellbeing, and a deeper understanding of how context shapes health. With this, ESM contributes to research innovation, to mental and physical healthcare, and to empowering individuals in managing their own health.

Research shows that when individuals take an active role in their own care (such as monitoring health indicators and participating in treatment decisions) outcomes improve, and adherence increases. E-health and mobile health applications can support this shift toward autonomy. ESM contributes to this development by strengthening the ability of individuals to observe, understand, and act on their lived experiences. This aligns with a broader movement toward personalized care that empowers people rather than placing them in a passive role.