US drug authority approves iOS game for ADHD treatment

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved EndeavorRx for use as a prescription treatment for children with ADHD. It is the first time that the FDA has approved a video game for medical use. EndeavorRx is an iOS action game.

EndeavorRx can improve the attention functions of eight- to 12-year-old children diagnosed with ADHD, according to developer Akili. The game is designed to activate the nervous system through sensory stimuli and motor challenges that should improve a child’s cognitive functioning. According to five studies involving more than 600 children with ADHD, a third of children have markedly reduced attention deficits after taking EndeavorRx. About half of the parents would see a ‘clinically meaningful change’ in the children’s daily behavior after a month of use. After a second month, this would rise to 68 percent of parents. The FDA says it is the first time a video game has been authorized to be marketed as a therapeutic agent.

In a study published in The Lancet, EndeavorRx was used for 25 minutes a day five days a week. However, the mild side effects of frustrations and headaches are mentioned here. These occurred in 3 and 2 percent of the subjects, respectively. Akili plans to make the game available to families soon so that it can be used with a doctor’s prescription. EndeavorRx includes the Akili Care app, a tracking app that provides personal support to caregivers. The game runs on the Akili Selective Stimulus Management engine. This engine was developed by Akili itself and uses ‘adaptive algorithms’ to personalize a patient’s treatment.

According to Akili’s faq, there is currently only an iOS version and at least iOS version 12.0 is required. It is an action game that cannot be completed. The goal of EndeavorRx is to challenge the child, as the game becomes more and more difficult. In the game, the player floats on a platform through an obstacle course. The player has to tilt the phone or tablet to avoid the obstacles. During EndeavorRx, the player is presented with targets that he must hit with a tap on the screen. This unlocks the child’s points, which can be used to purchase costumes in the in-game store to customize the character. Akili showed the game before.