Digital therapeutics in neurology

Abstract

Digital therapeutics (DTx) is a section of digital health defined by the DTx Alliance as “delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions to patients that are driven by software to prevent, manage, or treat a medical disorder or disease. They are used independently or in concert with medications, devices, or other therapies to optimize patient care and health outcomes”. Chronic disabling diseases could greatly benefit from DTx. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of DTx in the care of patients with neurological dysfunctions.

Effect of home-based virtual reality training and telerehabilitation on balance in individuals with Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In the last decade, there is a growing interest in the use of virtual reality (VR) for rehabilitation in clinical and home settings due to developments of technologies and better accessibility [8]. Virtual reality is a form of digital therapeutics that provides the opportunities to practice in a realistic environment resembling real objects and events by integrating multiple stimuli through visual, auditory, tactile, and somatosensory systems [9][10][11]. VR rehabilitation motivates patients to participate in rehabilitation and improves outcomes such as postural balance, quality of life, and perceived confidence of balance [9][10][11][12].…”

Modelling the mass adoption potential of wearable medical devices

“…Currently available smartphone-based WMDs include various types of motion sensors and bio-sensors that record feedback on a patient’s mobility status and other physical activities based on data collected daily, allowing for a more objective assessment of possible therapies [ 7 , 8 ]. Such WMD data can be utilised alone or in combination with pharmaceuticals, devices, or other treatments to improve patient care and health outcomes, especially in the case of chronic conditions [ 9 ]. Thus, WMDs help users to reduce health risks and screen their body temperature, heartbeat rate, daily mobility, and other health conditions [ 10 ].…”

Teledentistry in the Management of Patients with Dental and Temporomandibular Disorders

“…Indeed, teledentistry could be particularly useful for people living in underserved areas as it allows continuous monitoring without the need to reach specialists in urban areas. However, in underserved areas, the lack of high-speed broadband access may account for the inability to reach underserved populations [ 37 ]. Many software applications have been proposed during these months, some involve the use of complex devices for communication, others instead only the use of a smartphone, others in a combined way the use of a smartphone plus a tool that allows you to correctly capture the images to be communicated to the clinician.…”