FDA approves first video game to treat attention deficit disorder

FDA approves first video game to treat attention deficit disorder

The video game is not just a "waste of time". For the youngest, it is also a way to develop some fundamental notions of their development. And it can even help treat some pretty delicate diseases.

Video games are still quite often perceived, by parents in particular, as a real “waste of time” that does not bring any benefit. That being said, it seems that children with attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD) can turn to video games to help treat their illness. The FDA has approved a first title in this category.

Endeavorrx is the first FDA-approved video game

The game in question is called Endeavorrx, it is developed by Akili Interactive. According to the studio, one study found that about a third of the children who were able to play it “lost at least one aspect of objective attention and did so in a quantifiable way”. To do this, the children will have played at Endeavorrx 25 minutes a day, five days a week, over a period of four weeks. These are very interesting results that could help many children mitigate their disease.

Help fight attention deficit disorder

The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a large 7-year study involving no less than 600 children in an attempt to find out whether or not playing video games could make a difference in the treatment of ADHD. While video games may not necessarily replace or act as a true alternative to established traditional methods of ADHD treatment, this is an area that needs to be explored, especially for parents who would not be too inclined to switch to medication. The game Endeavorrx is not yet available to the general public but parents who are interested can go to the official website of the game and register on the waiting list.