Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Gaming: How the Video Game Industry is Revolutionizing Medical Treatments

The global video game market has experienced a remarkable rise over the past three decades, transforming into the most profitable form of media and entertainment. This unprecedented growth has not gone unnoticed by the medical community, as the field of therapeutic medical devices seeks to harness the unparalleled levels of user engagement that video games can foster. With the video game market projected to reach a staggering $282.30 billion in revenue by 2024, the software as a medical device (SAMD) industry has been quick to capitalize on this opportunity, exploring innovative ways to leverage the power of gaming to deliver effective therapeutic solutions.

Harnessing the Power of Flow: How Video Games are Revolutionizing Therapeutic Treatments

The Allure of Video Game Engagement

Video games have a remarkable ability to captivate their users, whether through the simplicity or addictive nature of their mechanics or the immersive storytelling they offer. This engagement is often attributed to the concept of a "flow state," a state of mind where the user's brain becomes fully immersed in the game, no longer consciously aware of the underlying mechanics. This flow state is the result of a carefully crafted experience, where all the elements of the game work in harmony to create a seamless and engaging play experience. It is this very quality that has made video games one of the most successful forms of media, and it is precisely this quality that the SAMD industry seeks to harness for therapeutic purposes.

Therapeutic Software Meets Video Game Design

Therapeutic software designed to instill specific behaviors or actions aimed at addressing a particular condition has long sought to emulate the success of video games in engaging their users. By tapping into the flow state that video games can induce, these therapeutic software solutions aim to teach real-world behaviors, actions, or practices required as part of the therapeutic process. The goal is to create an experience that feels natural and intuitive, rather than a conscious effort, ultimately leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes for patients.

The Rise of Therapeutic Video Games

One of the pioneering examples of this approach is the work of US-based company Akili, which received the first-ever FDA clearance for a therapeutic video game to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Their game, dubbed EndeavorOTC, was designed to engage users in an infinite runner-style experience, leveraging the game's mechanics to teach and reinforce the necessary behaviors and actions required to manage ADHD symptoms. The results of Akili's STARS-ADHD-Adult trial were impressive, with 83% of users reporting a clinical response and 72.5% experiencing improvements in their quality of life.

Expanding the Therapeutic Potential of Gaming

While Akili's success has not been without its challenges, with the company recently announcing plans to lay off staff and sell off assets, the broader market has not been deterred. In September 2022, the Seattle-based company DeepWell received FDA clearance for its biofeedback (ABS) software development kit (SDK), which is designed to be used by developers to incorporate therapeutic elements into existing games.DeepWell's approach recognizes the importance of leveraging the existing engagement and gameplay loops that have made video games so successful. By integrating their biofeedback technology into the core gameplay experience, DeepWell aims to create a seamless and immersive therapeutic experience that feels natural and intuitive to the user. This approach has the potential to unlock a vast array of therapeutic applications, as developers can now incorporate these elements into a wide range of existing and future game titles.

Overcoming the Challenges of Digital Therapeutics

The journey to bring therapeutic video games to market has not been without its challenges. As Ryan Douglas, the founder of DeepWell, points out, the industry has faced several key hurdles, including the need to bridge the gap between the medical and entertainment industries, as well as the issue of reimbursement and prescription models.By focusing on over-the-counter clearance and leveraging existing game platforms, DeepWell aims to address these challenges head-on. The company's biofeedback SDK can be integrated into a variety of games, allowing developers to create therapeutic experiences that are accessible and engaging for a wide range of users, without the need for a prescription or specialized reimbursement models.

The Future of Gaming as Medicine

As the video game market continues to grow and evolve, the potential for therapeutic applications is only expected to expand. With the increasing recognition of the power of media and storytelling to influence our cognitive and physiological states, the SAMD industry is poised to leverage the immersive and engaging nature of video games to deliver more effective and accessible treatments for a wide range of medical conditions.The success of companies like Akili and DeepWell, along with the growing interest and investment in the field, suggests that the integration of video games and therapeutic software is just the beginning of a transformative shift in the way we approach medical treatments. As the industry continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible, the future of gaming as a powerful tool for therapeutic intervention looks increasingly bright.