In June 2020 the FDA approved the first ever prescription video game designed to help kids between 8 and 12 years old struggling with ADHD. This treatment provides a unique opportunity for kids to improve their mental health while doing something that they enjoy.
About the game
The game is called EndevourRX and is made by a company called Akili Interactive.
According to their website the game was tested in 5 clinical trials involving over 600 children with primarily inattentive or combined-type ADHD who have a demonstrated attention issue. The Lancet Digital Health journal says that the children were tested 25 mins per day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The game is scientifically designed to challenge a child’s brain during treatment requiring the child’s attention and focus on multiple tasks at the same time.
“We’re proud to make history today with the FDA’s decision,” said Eddie Martucci, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Akili. “With EndeavorRX, we’re using technology to help treat a condition in an entirely new way as we directly target neurological function through medicine that feels like entertainment. Families are looking for new ways to help their children with ADHD. With today’s decision by the FDA, we’re excited to offer families a first of it’s kind non-drug treatment option and take an important first step toward our goal to help all people living with cognitive issues.”
Reported ADHD mental health benefits
Akili Interactive say that after four weeks of EndeavorRX treatment, one-third of the children no longer had a measurable attention deficit on at least one measure of objective attention. About half of the parents saw a clinically meaningful change in their child’s day-to-day impairments after one month of treatment; this increased to 68% after a second month of treatment. These improvements were maintained for up to one month after treatment.
One of the principal findings mentioned in the Lancet digital health journal is that “although future research is needed for this digital intervention, this study provides evidence that AKL-T01 might be used to improve objectively measured attention in paediatric patients with ADHD, while presenting minimal adverse events.
How to apply for treament
The EndeavorRX treatment will apparently be available with a prescription to families soon. The game will be available on the App Store playable on the iPhone and iPad for now. For more information and to join the waiting list (if applicable) you can visit: https://www.endeavorrx.com/
I need to get my nephew on this waiting list