EndeavorRx
EndeavorRx is a prescription digital therapeutic intended to improve attention function in children with ADHD. It is the first FDA-authorized ADHD treatment delivered through a video game.
What Is EndeavorRx?
EndeavorRx is a digital therapeutic authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of children ages 8 to 12 with primarily inattentive or combined-type ADHD. In the U.S., EndeavorRx is indicated to improve attention as measured by computer-based testing and it is available by prescription from a licensed health care provider.
EndeavorRx is not intended to be used as a stand-alone therapeutic and is not a substitution for a child’s ADHD medication.
Developed by Akili Interactive, EndeavorRx is the first game-based digital therapeutic device to receive marketing and prescription authorization by the FDA for any type of condition. It has also received Conformité Européenne (CE) Mark certification in Europe.
How Does EndeavorRx Work?
Through its immersive video game experience, EndeavorRx presents specific sensory stimuli and simultaneous motor challenges designed to target neural systems in the brain related to attentional control. Children interact with EndeavorRx on mobile devices, and they typically play for 25 minutes per day, 5 days a week.
The EndeavorRx games, which challenge players to multitask and ignore distractions, are designed to target areas of the brain tied to attention control.
How Long Does EndeavorRx Take to Work?
A randomized, controlled clinical study conducted by parent company Akili Interactive showed improvement, as measured by the Test of Variable Attention (TOVA), on at least one measure of objective attention within four weeks of beginning treatment with EndeavorRx.1 Akili reports that a more recent trial demonstrated that 68% of parents reported improvements in ADHD-related impairments after two months of treatment.1
What are the Side Effects of EndeavorRx?
In EndeavorRx trials, fewer than 10% of participants experienced treatment-related adverse events including frustration, headaches, dizziness, emotional reactions, nausea, and aggression. All such events were transient and did not carry lasting effects.1
What Precautions are Associated with EndeavorRx?
EndeavorRx may not be appropriate for patients with photo-sensitive epilepsy, color blindness, or physical limitations that restrict use of a mobile device; parents should consult with their child’s healthcare provider.
Learn more about EndeavorRx at https://www.endeavorrx.com/
What is EndeavorOTC?
EndeavorOTC is a video game app clinically designed to treat symptoms of inattentive ADHD in adults. It was developed by Akili using the same proprietary technology behind EndeavorRx. According to Akili, adults who participated in a clinical trial studying the app showed improved focus and attention, and reported a better quality of life, including completing tasks on time, multitasking, and keeping track of personal items. EndeavorOTC is available without a prescription for adults 18 and older through the iOS Apple store. Learn more about EndeavorOTC at https://www.endeavorotc.com/.
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1 Kollins, S. H., DeLoss, D. J., Cañadas, E., Lutz, J., Findling, R. L., Keefe, R. S. E., Epstein, J. N., Cutler, A. J., & Faraone, S. V. (2020). A novel digital intervention for actively reducing severity of paediatric ADHD (STARS-ADHD): a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. Digital health, 2(4), e168–e178. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(20)30017-0
2 Kollins, S. H., Childress, A., Heusser, A. C., & Lutz, J. (2021). Effectiveness of a digital therapeutic as adjunct to treatment with medication in pediatric ADHD. NPJ digital medicine, 4(1), 58. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-021-00429-0
