Video Game Developed for ADHD Treatment

at 05.55

Akili Interactive is a Boston based game developer and affiliate of a health firm. Last week they announced that their game AKL-T01 improves attention and self-control in children with ADHD, according to an initial study. The results have been so positive, that Akili is planning to file the game for FDA approval as a potential treatment option for ADHD. This could be one of the first games licensed in the U.S. to treat a medical condition.

The tablet-based game uses an adaptive algorithm to present players with stimuli at random intervals that correspond with the gamer's needs. As a person plays, it can predict where the user is in need of stimuli and adjust the game play to meet their expectations. This is based on their Project: EVO™ technology developed for the game. Which sounds much better as a game name then AKL-T01. What child or parent is going to remember that?

Reading through the press release, it doesn't state what the game is about. There is a story and some form of repetitive actions, but that's about all one can gleam from the information. The focus is on how it affected ADHD children. Akili held a randomized trial over 4 weeks with 348 children aged 8-12 diagnosed with ADHD. The used a similar game type as the control and tested the children with the TOVA method (which is a common means of determining if a child has ADHD. The improvement of Akili's game over the control was enough to spur them forward, though the actual rate of improvement was not listed.

Curious to see where this game ends up should it receive it's FDA approval.

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