A major step forward in using digital treatments to extend care

Unlike wellness apps that help users meditate, lose weight, or reduce stress, digital therapeutics are research-backed tools that have demonstrated safety and efficacy in randomized controlled trials. In two randomized controlled clinical trials, DaylightRx showed rates of remission of more than 70% for generalized anxiety disorder and significantly reduced anxiety up to 6 months or more. SleepioRx has been evaluated in more than 25 clinical trials and up to 76% of participants with chronic sleep issues or insomnia disorder achieved healthy sleep.

For clinicians who are overburdened by the demand for mental health services, digital treatments could “increase the capacity to support patients,” said Jenna Carl, PhD, chief medical officer at Big Health and a practicing psychologist. If a patient is suffering from both depression and insomnia, a provider could initially focus on addressing the depression during therapy sessions and order a digital therapeutic for insomnia as a form of concurrent treatment pursued outside of sessions. For a patient struggling primarily with anxiety, CBT for anxiety via a digital treatment could build on the skills patients are learning from a psychologist during a session. In cases when waitlists are months-long, digital treatments could serve as a form of treatment while waiting for additional care.

Though the progress with CMS and the FDA is significant, the next hurdle will be integrating digital therapies into the workflows in medical systems, said Mohr. Psychologists can take the lead by learning about these innovative tools and by advocating to incorporate them into practice. “Most psychologists are unfamiliar with digital therapeutics, but they are eager to learn more about them,” said Wright. “We need people who are willing to visit state psychological associations and other groups to get the word out.”

While it may seem daunting to delve into the world of digital therapeutics, Mohr encourages all practicing psychologists to start by first exploring a product’s website to see if there are studies that support their claims. John Torous, MD, director of the digital psychiatry division at Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, helped develop a database that provides information about the clinical foundations, cost, and the treatment approach for different mental health apps.

Incorporating these digital tools into practice may require providers to become familiar with a new method of delivering treatment, which can seem intimidating at first. But for many patients, this support may be the only option or a supplement to treatment that ultimately helps reduce their psychological distress. “The mental health crisis is a health equity issue, and digital tools that are safe and effective are filling a gap,” said Wright. “Psychologists have an important role in making these tools accessible.”