Digital Therapeutics Enables More Precise and Objective ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment, Expanding Clinical and Research Horizons: An Interview with Professor Luo Rong of West China Second University Hospital
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), commonly known as hyperactivity disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that onsets in childhood and is primarily characterized by attention deficits, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are inconsistent with the individual’s developmental level. Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Children with ADHD are like cars with malfunctioning brakes and accelerators: at times speeding or losing control, and at other times slowing down or even stalling. The brains of children with ADHD function similarly; they exhibit impairments in self-monitoring and self-regulation, rendering them unable to adjust their behavior according to environmental demands. When the environment is novel and engaging, their brains become impulsive and absorbed—operating at high speed but with low accuracy. Conversely, when external stimuli are monotonous or tedious, such as during tasks involving knowledge retention, their brains enter a “stalled” state, leading to drowsiness and lethargy.
In China, over 20 million children and adolescents are currently affected by ADHD; however, there are no more than 500 specialized child psychiatrists, with high-quality practitioners predominantly concentrated in top-tier tertiary hospitals in first- and second-tier cities. Furthermore, the consultation rate for ADHD is less than 20%, and only about one-third of patients receive standardized treatment.
Overall, the current medical resources for ADHD diagnosis and treatment are unevenly distributed, with a severe imbalance between supply and demand, and existing solutions have many limitations. There is still much room for exploration in the future. So, Can the emergence of digital therapeutics fill these gaps? What innovations and medical value have they actually brought? What are the future development trends of the industry? What are the perspectives and judgments of frontline medical experts?
Professor Luo Rong, Director of the Department of Pediatric Neurology at West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, an Academic and Technical Leader in Sichuan Province, and a Leading Talent designated by the National Health Commission, provides commentary and future perspectives on the development of digital therapeutics for ADHD in China.
Luo Rong, Director of the Department of Pediatric Neurology at West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Academic and Technical Leader of Sichuan Province, and Leading Talent of the National Health Commission
Luo Rong, Director of the Department of Pediatric Neurology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityAccording to VCBeat, pharmacological treatment for ADHD is, in principle, indicated for children aged 6 years and older. Clinical practice does not recommend medication as a standalone intervention; instead, treatment modalities—including pharmacotherapy, psychological and behavioral interventions, and individualized educational programs—should be rationally selected and integrated based on the patient’s clinical condition and specific needs.
In recent years, with the growing awareness of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), parental acceptance of pharmacological treatment has increased. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of parents remain reluctant to medicate their children. In contrast, while non-pharmacological interventions are more widely accepted, their practical effectiveness is often suboptimal. This is because behavioral interventions require sustained, in-depth parental involvement rather than simply enrolling children in rehabilitation programs at training institutions—a process that poses considerable challenges for parents. Consequently, digital therapeutics, which deliver online behavioral therapy through big data, artificial intelligence, and gamification, represent a breakthrough in overcoming temporal and spatial constraints in treatment.
From the perspective of pediatric rehabilitation, integrating play with therapy is fundamentally a core principle.The underlying reason is that children often lack the initiative to engage in training; they require an engaging, gamified therapeutic environment that enables them to repeatedly learn and practice through play, thereby acquiring skills or improving functional capabilities. Digital therapeutics integrate rehabilitation content with gaming, using video games as a medium and guided by rehabilitation goals. This approach makes monotonous rehabilitation exercises more enjoyable, better stimulates children’s autonomy, ensures adherence to the training regimen, and helps achieve therapeutic objectives.
However, Professor Luo Rong stated that two additional aspects must be considered to achieve the widespread adoption of digital therapeutics.First, physician acceptance.In most cases, an innovative therapy can only be accepted by patients after it has been endorsed by physicians. Therefore, in addition to ensuring the safety and efficacy of the product, efforts are also needed to address the fact that many physicians currently have limited understanding of digital therapeutics.Second, parental acceptance.Chinese parents’ attitudes toward video games also differ from those in Western countries. Therefore, it is essential to rigorously design training duration and methods during product development to reflect scientific principles. If these parameters are properly configured to mitigate the risk of addiction, gamified digital therapeutics represent a highly promising innovative treatment approach.
Recently, Fangcun Doctor has entered into in-depth collaborations with top-tier medical institutions in China, including West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Beijing Anding Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking University Sixth Hospital, and Beijing Huilongguan Hospital. Fangcun Doctor’s digital therapeutic product for adjunctive treatment of ADHD (FocusPro1) has also entered the phase of multi-center clinical trials across China and is expected to obtain Class II medical device certification from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) within the year.
Overall, as an emerging innovative therapy, digital therapeutics serves as a new “therapeutic weapon” for physicians and can help broaden their clinical and research perspectives. Previously, the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in clinical practice were based on relatively subjective assessment systems, with insufficient objectivity in data.By collecting big data on patient treatment and training, digital therapeutics can enable more precise clinical assessment of therapeutic efficacy.Professor Luo Rong further noted that the prevalence of ADHD is as high as 10%, and if not properly managed, it can lead to various comorbidities. Therefore, she looks forward to seeing the results of clinical validations and real-world studies based on digital therapeutics, which represents a highly promising area for exploration.