A comprehensive survey of the clinical trial Landscape on digital therapeutics

• Published in: Heliyon 2024-08, Vol.10 (16), p.e36115, Article e36115
• Main Authors: Yao, Han, Liao, Zirui, Zhang, Xinyi, Zhang, Xiaoke, Li, Mengyu, You, Lili, Liu, Yuanli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical studies; clinical trials; computer software; Digital health; Digital therapeutics; health services; landscapes; medical treatment; surveys; Technological development
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36115

Digital therapeutics (DTx) is an emerging and groundbreaking medical intervention that utilizes health software to treat or alleviate various diseases, disorders, conditions, or injuries. Although the potential of digital therapy is enormous, it is still in its nascent stage and faces multiple challenges and obstacles. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of all DTx-related clinical trials in ClinicalTrials.gov and to promote the advancement of DTx. Two reviewers and one expert evaluated data from all DTx clinical trials on ClinicalTrials.gov as of August 8, 2023. Trials utilizing digital therapeutics independently or in combination with traditional approaches were included. Incomplete trials and those lacking an evidence-based foundation were excluded. Basic information about product launches and primary outcome measures was extracted and analyzed. A total of 280 eligible trials were categorized into treating a disease (141, 50.4 %), managing a disease (120, 42.9 %), and improving a health function (19, 6.8 %). The focus was primarily on mental and behavioral disorders, neurological disorders, and endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic disorders. The number of trials has been increasing annually, yet trial design and conduct remain inconsistent. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) accounted for 67.5 % of completed trials, and 36 trials (12.9 %) involved products already approved for marketing. The growth in clinical studies on DTx underscores their potential in healthcare. However, challenges persist in standardization, regulation, and clinical efficacy. There is a need for a harmonized global classification of digital therapeutics and standardized clinical trial protocols to ensure efficacy and improve healthcare services. •Early-stage DTx faces challenges; clinical trials essential for evaluation.•DTx trials focus on psychiatric care and chronic disease management.•DTx trial guidelines exist but need flexible adaptation for diversity.•DTx mechanism needs proof; societal value assessment is uncharted.