US Doctors Can Now Prescribe a Video Game as Medicine

For the first time ever, a video game can be prescribed as medicine in the US, with the FDA approving EndeavourRX for use in treating symptoms of ADHD. In an announcement from the US Food and Drug Administration (via The Verge), EndeavorRX by Akili Interactive is the first game in history that can be legally marketed in America as a medicine, after studies showed that the iOS product can be beneficial for patients impaired by ADHD. Doctors will be allowed to prescribe the game to children between eight and 12 years old. It is worth noting that Akili Interactive's study - by doctors working for EndeavorRX's developer - came to the conclusion that there isn't enough evidence to suggest that this game should be used as a replacement for established ADHD treatments, but that it can be used in addition to existing treatments. [caption id="attachment_2366151" align="alignnone" width="1280"] EndeavourRX in action (complete with optional crab costume).[/caption] The game, which is only available on prescription (and which you can join a waiting list for) sees you travelling on a raft down rivers in various fantastical locations, collecting targets and dodging obstacles. Your character can even be equipped with various different costumes from a rotating selection. You can watch a short gameplay trailer to get a sense of it You can check out the full news release from the FDA here, which explains why the landmark decision was made and describes the game as "the first digital therapeutic intended to improve symptoms associated with ADHD." "The EndeavorRx device offers a non-drug option for improving symptoms associated with ADHD in children and is an important example of the growing field of digital therapy and digital therapeutics," notes Jeffery Shuren, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

source https://www.ign.com/articles/us-doctors-can-now-prescribe-a-video-game-as-medicine