How Digital Therapeutics Helps Patients with ADHD

Digital therapeutics is one of the innovative products of healthcare that is driving a revolution in modern medicine. Digital therapeutics have the potential to help patients manage their own symptoms and improve their quality of life through alternative methods, namely software and technology.

Among the list of disorders or diseases that digital therapeutics tackles are depression, generalized anxiety disorder, diabetes, insomnia, ADHD, and so much more. 

Today, we’ll talk all about prescription digital therapeutics, what digital therapeutics are, and, most importantly – how digital therapeutics help patients with ADHD.

Keep on reading through to discover the impact of digital therapeutics on the healthcare industry as a whole.

What is Digital Therapeutics?

Digital therapeutics is a software-powered form of treatment that has the potential to deliver a big impact and results in patient health. In other words, it is an alternative form of treatment that uses technology rather than medication.

There are dozens of different FDA-approved DTx products that aid patients who are struggling with different disorders or diseases. These products are divided into 3 main categories – preventing, managing, or treating disorders.

But how do digital therapeutics actually work? Well, there are many ways that this treatment is implemented, including through mobile devices, apps, sensors, virtual reality software, IoT, and many other technologies. 

The main goal of digital therapeutic products is to cause behavioral changes in patients through cognitive behavioral therapy. 

One disorder that benefits from digital therapeutics is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 

Let’s dive deeper and see how digital therapeutics can help treat patients with ADHD.

How digital therapeutics help patients with ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder that causes restlessness, trouble concentrating or staying focused, forgetfulness, risky behavior, and more. Usually, ADHD is treated through medication, therapy, or a combination of both.

Treatment for children and adults can vary in its effectiveness, which is where digital therapeutics come in.

Let me bring the example I always like to bring when explaining digital therapeutics. If a child has ADHD, instead of treating them with medication, what if could give them a game to play. But not just any game.

There is a digital therapeutics product that can help battle ADHD is called EndeavorRX. And not only is it more fun, but it is also effective. So, let’s see what EndeavorRX is. But before I go there I need to say that you really should consult your doctor before making any decisions. 

What is EndeavorRX?

Digital therapeutic products have been proven to be effective when treating specific disorders or diseases. 

When it comes to EndeavorRX, clinical trials have shown improvements in ADHD impairment with responder rates of 48-50% after just 1 month of treatment. After the 2nd month of treatment, these rates grew to 68%. 

EndeavorRX is the first and only FDA-approved digital therapeutic treatment for children with ADHD.

Unfortunately, EndeavorRX is not for everyone. The product is targeted at children in ages 8-12. Nevertheless, this digital therapeutic product shows immense improvement in sustained and selective attention.

So, how does EndeavorRX work? Well, it is an action video game that helps the development of multitasking and focusing on a child’s attentional control.

Although they don’t claim to be a substitute for medication or other forms of treatment, we can all agree that all patients respond to different methods.

Thinking about this example of digital therapeutics gives us a lot of food for thought. What other amazing solutions can software bring forward? Can software be a major leader of advancements in behavioral disorder treatments? 

If you want to learn more about digital therapeutics from global experts, tune in to this episode of my podcast, where we discuss the advances in digital therapeutics in a conversation with Eddie Martucci, CEO of Akili Interactive.