Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (대한소아청소년정신의학회)
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Analysis of the Status and Future Direction for Digital Therapeutics in Children and Adolescent Psychiatry

  • Haemi Choi (Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Bora Kim (Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Insoo Kim (Department of Novel, Chung-Ang University Graduate School of Arts Short Course) ;
  • Jae-Gu Kang (Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Yoonjae Lee (Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Hyowon Lee (Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Min-Hyeon Park (Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea)
  • Received : 2023.07.11
  • Accepted : 2023.09.08
  • Published : 2023.10.01
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Abstract

Digital therapeutics based on software, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, games, and smartphone applications, are in the spotlight as new therapeutic alternatives in child and adolescent psychiatry. It draws attention to overcoming conventional therapeutics' limitations, such as toxicity, cost, and accessibility, and encourages patients to participate in the treatment attractively. The growth potential of the digital therapeutics market for psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in Korea and abroad has been highlighted. Clinical studies and Food and Drug Administration approvals for digital therapeutics have increased, and cases approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety have emerged in Korea. As seen above, digital transformation in child and adolescent psychiatry will change treatment paradigms significantly. Therefore, as this new field has just begun to emerge, it is necessary to verify the effectiveness and scope of the application of digital therapeutics and consider preparing a compensation system and institutional arrangements. Accordingly, this study analyzed the development trends and application status of digital therapeutics in children and adolescents and presented limitations and development directions from the perspective of application in healthcare. Further, the study is expected to identify the utility and limitations of digital therapeutics for children and adolescents and establish effective application measures.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by a grant from the Game Science Forum in South Korea and by the Technology Innovation Program (grant PC20ONDI0074; AI [artificial intelligence]-Driven Global PHR [personal health record] Pediatric Developmental Disability Management/Treatment Platform) funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Korea. The funders played no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, publication decision, or manuscript preparation.

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