Digital health interventions (DHI) for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children – a comparative review of literature among various treatment and DHI
Pandian GSB, Jain A, Raza Q, Sahu KK.
Psychiatry Res. 2021 Jan 19;297:113742. doi:
10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113742.
Commentary* by Dr. Margaret Weiss: We are on the cusp of an exponential rise in a variety of digital health interventions for ADHD. These are exciting opportunities – which need to be tempered with sound empirical research on actual change in symptoms and function.
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is to compare game-based digital therapeutic device and other DHI like (smartphone apps, wearable technologies) for ADHD with the current pharmacological and behavior therapy.
The FDA has approved a game-based digital therapeutic device – EndeavorRx, for the treatment of ADHD in pediatric patients belonging to the age group of 8-12 years old. This has been primarily recommended for the treatment of inattentive or combined-type ADHD who have demonstrated an attention issue.
This is the first game-based therapeutic device to be approved by the FDA for any type of condition. According to the FDA, this has been shown to improve attention which is measured by computer-based testing. Objective:
The objective of this study is to compare a game-based digital therapeutic device and other DHI (smartphone apps, wearable technologies) with the current pharmacological and behavior therapy used in the treatment of ADHD.
* Abstracts are selected for their clinical relevance by Dr. Margaret Weiss, Director of Clinical Research, Child Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard University. Her commentary reflects her own opinion. It is not approved or necessarily representative of the CADDRA board.