Imagine a world where your doctor prescribes video games as part of your treatment for stress. This is not a distant dream but a burgeoning reality thanks to Deepwell DTx, a Seattle-based company making strides in integrating digital therapeutics with gaming. Their biofeedback software development kit recently received FDA clearance for «over-the-counter treatments for the reduction of stress and as an adjunctive treatment for high blood pressure.»
Deepwell’s co-founder, Ryan Douglas, sees this development as a win for patients, gamers, and game developers alike. He envisions a future where games play a significant role in the $4 trillion global healthcare market, potentially reviving the golden age of gaming. The company’s VR game, Zengence, exemplifies this vision. Marketed as a «mental health action shooter,» it uses biofeedback to track players’ meditative tones and incorporate breathwork into gameplay, aiming to enhance relaxation and stress response.
Douglas argues that engaging gameplay can facilitate accelerated learning and new neural pathways, promoting mental resilience. Deepwell’s ambition extends beyond this: the company seeks to obtain Medicaid and Medicare codes to incentivize the development and use of therapeutic games.
With over 350,000 digital wellness apps worldwide and only a handful FDA-cleared as digital therapeutics, Deepwell’s SDK stands out. It allows game developers to embed or integrate biofeedback technology into their products, potentially transforming both gaming and healthcare industries. As Deepwell moves toward new therapeutic applications, including treatments for pain, PTSD, and neurological disorders, the company’s approach could redefine how we view the intersection of technology, mental health, and entertainment.
Article written by Jim Hammerand| Image by Digital Health buzz
09/12/2024
Source:
Mass device
https://www.massdevice.com/deepwell-digital-therapeutics-fda-clearance-software-development-kit-stress-hypertension/