“It’s time to play your medicine.” That’s the message Akili Interactive Labs has for children who struggle with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The company’s website says, “We believe effective medicine for serious illnesses can also be fun and engaging.” Apparently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agrees. The federal agency approved Akili’s EndeavorRx video game as digital therapy. It’s offered for children ages 8-12 with certain symptoms of ADHD. EndeavorRx is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
A prescription video game? You bet! So how does it work?
According to the EndeavorRx product information, the game uses algorithms to adapt in real time for its users. An algorithm is a step-by-step sequence of computer instructions. The algorithms in EndeavorRx adjust difficulty level to each player. This personalizes the treatment.
The game targets and activates neural systems in the player’s brain. Players guide characters through a racecourse-like path on a hoverboard. They steer through obstacles, avoiding hazards like flaming fire pits and exploding mines, while collecting targets. Specific missions and motor challenges stimulate the brain as users focus on multiple tasks at once. Children are asked to complete five missions in 25 to 30 minutes per day, five days each week for four weeks.
Akili’s website lists evidence that the prescription video game alleviates some symptoms of ADHD. More than 600 children helped the company develop the game and show that it works. After only four weeks, one third of the trial participants no longer had measurable attention deficit on at least one measure of objective attention. Half of parents of children in the clinical trials said they saw a meaningful change in their child’s impairment after just one month of using the game. After two months of use, 68% of parents reported a positive change in symptoms.
Many medicines come with side effects. EndeavorRx could have a few negative effects too. Promotional materials from Akili state that 9.3% of participants in its clinical trials experienced non-serious effects. Those include frustration, headaches, and dizziness.
Video games tend to have a bad reputation. Some people blame them for causing symptoms like hyperactivity and inattention in kids. Now the FDA says a video game can be a tool for resolving symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention in kids. EndeavorRx appears to be “redeeming” video games for something good.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. –– Psalm 139:14
First Comment
I love video games and am glad that this can help kids with ADHD. Video game prescription lol. I play games like Roblox and Mindcraft. And nitendo games new and from the 80s and 90s. What games do ya'll play ? If anyone plays.
Hmmmm......No.
Last I heard video games were addictive. I....don't.......think.......this.......is.........good............
Once the kids starts, all they're gonna want to do is play that game.
I don't think this is wise.
Nope, just go outside and play in the mud (okay maybe not the mud but you get my point)
P.S....
If you're wondering....no I don't like video games.....(No offence to anyone!)
this is Mylee
yah they can get addicting but i am only aloud to play an hour on Friday night. It depends what parents you have, because if a kid plays like 6 hours that is super unhealthy.
@NA
video games arent necessarily addictive,and this game can help kids with ADHD.
P.S.
i really like video games of all types.
I like video games and I play
I like video games and I play Roblox too. It’s really fun.
this is Mylee
Mirela J if you can accept friends on roblox my user name is Myjself1212
Video games
The stats show that only 1% Of avid gamers get adicted, and that, video games are healthy. They improve hand eye coordination. They also have a effect on your brain as you utilize all parts of your brain. In fact Esports players work harder then normal athletes.
My family doesn't play video
My family doesn't play video games. I think this game is helpful, but I think it would be better if they developed something that doesn't involve a screen.
This is Mylee
Matthew n it does say it is more healthy than movies because movies you just sit and look at a screen and video games involve your brain. They are fun but I believe that no more than 3 hours should be played . Because you need exercise instead of siting so much. Video games are fun.
This is London
Video games are a lot better than movies. Like Mylee said movies u just look. video games you actually think and It helps hand eye coordination. I like roblox to ( but I am not allowed to text in the game ) my user name is Blocklondons if anyone want to be my friend.
I am glad this will help bc some people with disorders just play games all the time.
This is London
In addition, we have two old Nintendo’s With every game on there, I think there is like a thousand games fr. Also tho I like vid games I do not like fornite I am glad it is band and I don’t like clash of clans
@ Mylee and London
Yes ok I’ll send a request to you both. I
My username is StarWarsLove_r
My username is StarWarsLove_r. It’s weird I know but that’s what it is!
this is Mylee
thanks Mirela i will accept !! And your name is not weird I love star wars ! And trust me i have seen awful names like ones that are just letters jumbled together.
this is Mylee
i accepted !
This is London
Your username is not weird my username is weird. And I love Star Wars I accepted
Yeah, video games can be
Yeah, video games can be great, as long as you don't play them too much. I have pretty much no idea what Roblox is, but I mainly play Halo and Call of Duty.
@ Mylee and London.
Ok thanks. I’m glad you think it’s not weird.
This is Mylee
Mirela what games do you play? Sometimes I can be girly and play fashion famous and royal high. Other times I can be simple and play games like hide n go seek or apples to apples. Mostly I play games that are epic or mysterious like epic mini games, pick a side, bacon or piggy ,games like flicker or this other game I play are mysterious.
@ Mylee
I sometimes go on Fashion Famous but as soon as I go on Royal High it’s glitchy so I hardly ever go on and don’t know what to do but maybe one day I’ll try it again. I have played Hide and seek extreme but not hide and go seek. Yesterday I started playing Epic Minigames again because I kinda forgot about it but I really enjoy that. I like Tycoons like School tycoon. And Work at a Pizza Place sometimes. Have you heard of Adopt me? I used to play it but not anymore. Currently I’m trying to find some games that are more fast moving like Freeze Tag (even tho it’s not really that fast) or Epic Minigames. Maybe we could arrange to play together sometime? With London too. Btw are you allowed to private chat your friends like me in games? If not that’s ok. I was only checking.
Video Game Comment
My parents don't like me playing video games too much, and lot's is probably bad for you. If i finish school early enough than i play for an hour. I like Minecraft and Colonization. I sometimes play Roblox at my cousins's house. (I don't do multiplayer).
Also if anyone here play fortnight, please explain why you would want to play it.
Also I think that if the game really works, it will help people.
this is London
mirela I am allowed to text my friends on the text but i dont text people in the games. my chat settings is off . but idk if u can still chat friends in the game. Yes that would be fun maybe friday if tats ok
this is Mylee
Mirela i do play hide and seek extreme but i had forgot the name lol. Royale High does glitch a lot. I love epic mini games Maybe we can play Friday or when ever i can. I can chat on the chat to friends but no one else.
this is Mylee
p.s. check out pick a side it is super fun!
@ London
I’m don’t understand sorry! So in (let’s say epic mini games) are you allowed to talk to friends? Like private chat them? I am allowed I think - but only to my friends.
@ London
Ohh wait. I don’t mean on the chat thing where your not on a game I mean in the chat thing on the game. Like yesterday when we talked. Anyway never mind, lol
@ Mylee
I have played pick a side actually. It’s pretty good yes.
@ M and L - Yes what time Friday? I’m not sure when I’ll be free so maybe we can just join each other whenever.
this is Mylee
around 7 maybe we are central time. Also we can privately chat to friends in a game only not random people.
@ Mylee.
Sorry when you wrote that I was probably fast asleep because I live in the UK and it’s about 5 hours difference. Sorry! It was 11 pm here!! And would have been midnight at your 7 pm. We can play another time maybe. I know it might be a bit inconvenient because of the time difference so we’ll just have to work something out.
This is London
Ik i looked in your groups and you were in one that said uk. I looked on roblox at like 9 am here and you were playing. Also we aren’t really aloud to play during the week (sometimes exceptions) just Friday Saturday and Sunday mostly. How about Friday at hummmm
this is Mylee
that is so cool how you live in the u.k. 3:00 for us would work it would be 8:00 for you that is the best we can do because of school. Unless on a Saturday . but not Sunday because my church starts at 4:00 and ends at 6:00 After that it would be 11:00 for you and that wouldn't work. Hope to play soon bye.
@ Mylee and London
I’m usually allowed to play 30 mins a day everyday. 8pm Uk 3pm US is good for me most of the time. On Fridays I have a zoom meeting In the evenings so I won’t be able to then but Saturday is ok I think. On Saturday I will be able to go on from about 7pm ish Uk time. Would this work?
This is Mylee
Well Saturday I have a wedding from 2 to 5 so no . Friday at 3 maybe . It is hard because of time zone lol.
@ Mylee
Yeah it’s hard. Umm maybe we should leave it this weekend and do it another time since we are all a bit busy during those times. Have a nice time at the wedding!
this is Mylee
Thanks I hope we can play very soon. Just This week I am super busy. I have my sister and cousins party on Friday. birthday is one day apart so they celebrate together. The Wedding saturday, and that evening a birthday party . So next week will be more relaxed. lol Hope to play soon.
A "healthy" video game
I only play Pokémon Go and finished Cut the Rope.
@Above
After reading the whole conversation, and even before that, I totally agree with NA. I don't think people should play video games. Being outside is MUCH more healthy for you. There are all kinds of other games that can improved hand eye coordination, such as almost any sport. And actually, a LOT of video games have bad, bad things in them. Just starting at a screen for even an hour is not really the best for your eyes, or brain and body. Sorry if I seemed offensive, I am not trying to be, just stating my opinions on this. And yes, I think ANY screen is addictive. It is. You see kids with phones? What do they do? Check texts, weather, time, anything they can, just to be on their phone. ALL THE TIME!!!!!! So anyway, I could go on and on, but I won't. It's not my job to show that world that video games are not necessarily right. But again, please don't be offended.
Games can also be expensive,
Games can also be expensive, if they're good quality. But, for some people like me, that's worth it, most of the time.
This is London
I only play on weekends for like in hour. So I doesn’t waste my time,also I have to earn it like do my chores.
this is Mylee
It is better than movies .( in my opinion ) And I barely play so it doesn't waste my time. It is fun though.
@ London
I also have to earn it.
@ Mylee
I think movies (that are good) are better but games are good too. Have you heard of the Kendrick Brothers?
No
No
This is London
I think movies are better depending I think she meant better for you brain but idk
Wait are those the people who
Wait are those the people who made courageous overcomer facing the giants etc
This is Mylee
They are better for your brain is what I meant lol. Because of hand I coordination. But books are better . I love books they are so much fun to read .
Books are better than any of
Books are better than any of these lol
@Above
YES!!!!!! BOOKS ARE WAAAAAAAAAYYYYY BETTER THAN ANY OF THOSE OTHER THINGS!!!!!!!!!!
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