Treatment of hyperactivity syndrome by ... electronic games

Akili interactive lab has designed an electronic game to treat hyperactivity (ADHD) children. After the test, the researchers noted significant results in improving attention time as well as controlling the child's inhibition.

Video games are prescription medicines?

Recently, Akili laboratory announced that the final stage of designing game games for children with ADHD is about to reach the initial goal. This is a big step in the effort to create the first game that can be seen as a medical prescription.

Scientists conducted experiments with 348 children aged between 8 and 12, diagnosed as having the disease. They are allowed to play action games on tablets within four weeks. Compared to other children playing other games, these 348 young volunteers have improved their focus and control their actions. Next year, the company plans to apply for approval from the US Food and Drug Administration FDA.

Mr. Eddie Martucci - CEO of Akili, said: " We have directly targeted the key attention and impulsive neurological pathways of children with ADHD. This study is an important experiment. It is important to answer the question: Will these results be due to our impact on the brain or just a response from an interesting game treatment? '.

Although there are positive results, there are still many questions raised for this product. For example, parents and doctors all recognize that children's behavior improves even if they play Akili's treatment game or other games. And if Akili is approved by the FDA, it is certain that clinicians and insurance companies will take control of the product. In addition, this game has not been tested directly with current ADHD medications or psychotherapy to see if it will have the same effect.

Games help treat hyperactivity.(Photo: Akili).

Medical time

Akili's video game takes players to a molten lava river and travels through an icy land. When the player completes their mission, they will receive rewards as points and sparkling stars.

Akili sees this video game as a distribution system of targeted algorithms, which act as a medical device to activate certain neural networks. This type of game is quite different from the applications and games that help patients control their disease currently on the market.

"We have some things to look at, feel and convey through a video game," Martucci said. "And when using it, patients receive direct physiological activation, promising to improve awareness and be effective for clinical treatment ".

Researchers recommend that children with ADHD should complete a 30-minute five-day-a-week session, and play continuously for four weeks. Only 11 participants were affected by side effects, mainly headache and frustration. These side effects are much lighter than the usual side effects associated with medications commonly used to treat ADHD.

Akili is also working to develop a similar version to treat depressed adult patients. Recently, the company has started a mid-stage clinical trial targeting this target, initial results are expected to be announced by the end of next year.

The FDA recently approved a number of new treatments that combine medicine and technology. Last September, FDA approved the first mobile application that could help patients with substance use disorders. This product was developed by Boston's Pear Therapeutics.

Last month, FDA approved the first electronic tablet with a sensor to monitor the patient's medication schedule. The product is the result of a partnership between Japanese drugmaker Otsuka and Proteus Digital Health.

What is ADHD syndrome?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common developmental disorders in children, the common feature of ADHD is excessive hyperactivity behavior with impairment reduced ability to pay attention.

The disease seriously affects learning ability and makes it difficult to relate to people. According to statistics, every 3 to 5 children have this disorder with some symptoms starting before the age of 7. The global rate for children is about 5% and changes in a relatively wide range. because it depends on the method used in the study.

The prevalent age is from 8 to 11, boys are 3 times more likely to be infected with girls, when they mature, they tend to decrease. 5%.

In Vietnam, according to a relative study of over 1,594 students in two primary schools in Hanoi showed that the incidence was 3.01%.