A gaming company, Akili Interactive, has made headlines with their video game Endeavor, which is the first and only FDA-cleared treatment for ADHD in children. Recently, EndeavorRX has expanded its label to include older kids and teens up to age 17, with the prescription now being available for kids aged 8 and older. Furthermore, there is also an off-label version of the game for adults.
As people continue to navigate their way through a pandemic-era drug shortage, compounded by an increase in the demand for stimulant medications like Adderall, patients are finding it difficult to secure ADHD treatment. For those looking to explore alternative methods to improve attention and focus, trying video games such as EndeavorRX might be a viable option.
EndeavorRX is a 25-minute mobile game designed for daily use with the aim of improving focus and attention. The games are comprised of sensory stimuli and simultaneous motor challenges targeting the attention-centered parts of the brain. The game’s prescription version for children involves navigating a character through obstacles while collecting targets, gradually increasing in difficulty as the player’s attention and performance improves.
The game has been well-received, with 73% of children in a trial survey reporting an improvement in their attention using EndeavorRX, surpassing the 50% in the control group. There is also a demo available for those interested in trying out the game before purchasing it.
Additionally, there is an off-label version of the game for adults with similar objectives as the children’s version, albeit with a different interface. A focus score is provided as a measure of the player’s ability to complete tasks accurately despite distractions. For optimal results, the company recommends playing the game for six weeks, taking a week break, and resuming for another six weeks.
Getting a prescription for EndeavorRX involves a health care provider writing a prescription and a special pharmacy sending a code to the user. The 30-day prescription costs $99, and it is possible to use FSA or HSA dollars on it. On the other hand, the off-label version, EndeavorOTC, costs $25 per month or $130 per year without requiring a prescription.
While the game offers novel treatment options for ADHD, not everyone may be a good fit for it. Individuals with photo-sensitive epilepsy, color blindness, or certain physical limitations may not be able to use the game. However, compared to the side effects associated with traditional ADHD medications, the side effects of playing the video game are relatively milder, with only 5% of players reporting side effects in the form of nausea or headache.
As the medical field continues to venture into innovative therapies, video games are increasingly being recognized as a potential treatment or complement to traditional methods. EndeavorRX is a promising development in this regard, providing a new platform for addressing attention and focus in a game format.
