FDA Approves First-Ever Video Game To Treat ADHD In Children Aged 8 to 12

Akili Interactive’s EndeavorRX, formerly Project EVO is the first FDA-approved video game to treat kids with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The approval authorizes doctors to prescribe the iPhone and iPad game for children in the age group 8 to 12 years diagnosed with ADHD.

After undergoing seven years of clinical trials and studying over 600 children, the game has been finally approved by the FDA as a game that could actually make a difference to kids with ADHD.

The studies revealed that about one-third of children who played the obstacle-dodging, target-collecting game for 25 minutes per day, five days a week for four weeks, no longer had a measurable attention deficit.

No serious adverse events were linked to EndeavorRx in any study so far. However, some participants did experience non-serious treatment-related side effects like headache, frustration, dizziness, nausea, emotional reaction, or aggression.

EndeavorRx is indicated to improve attention in children aged 8-12 with primarily inattentive or combined-type ADHD. It is designed in such a way that it directly targets and activates the neutral systems through the presentation of sensory stimuli and motor challenges that help improve cognitive functioning in kids with ADHD.

“With EndeavorRx, we’re using technology to help treat a condition in an entirely new way as we directly target neurological function through medicine that feels like entertainment. Families are looking for new ways to help their children with ADHD. We’re excited to offer families a first-of-its-kind non-drug treatment option and take an important first step toward our goal to help all people living with cognitive issues,” Eddie Martucci, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Akili told Businesswire.

For kids with ADHD, improving their ability to resist distraction and pay attention is important to their daily functioning and academic performance. Unlike traditional ADHD medications, this new video game is designed to target inattention.

The researchers are thrilled that EndeavorRx is moving from the lab to the clinic to play a crucial role in treating kids with ADHD. It is intriguing to see a video game treatment used for something other than distraction or exercise.