Image via EndeavorRx
Not all video games are created equal. Rather than serving as a distraction or a chance for procrastination, this one does pretty much the opposite—it enhances focus in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and trains them to handle tasks at hand.
EndeavorRx, recently profiled by the BBC, is the first game of its kind to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating ADHD, having received its green light from the authority in 2020.
It is only playable with a prescription by doctors in the US, upon which an activation link will be sent to a parent or caretaker to install the game on an Apple or Android device. EndeavorRx is meant to complement the child’s other treatments, instead of replacing them, and offers progress updates to parents so they can keep track of growth.
Designed with the help of neuroscientists and created for kids aged eight to 12 diagnosed with inattentive or combined-type ADHD, the game is rife with bright visuals and goals that challenge its players to help their alien character collect items and ignore distractions.
Focus is essential to get through its stages, which are filled with complex visual and mental stimuli.
The objective of EndeavorRX is to enhance the parts of the brain responsible for attention and concentration, as well as boost the child’s ability to multitask. Kids get rewarded for their focus too, as they are able to design their own universe within the app.
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Kelsey Sihanourath, a mother who has been utilizing the game with her 13-year-old son Owain, who was diagnosed with ADHD in preschool and has seen occupational therapists throughout his life, is pleased to have observed small improvements in her child’s behavior, reports the BBC.
She’s one of 68% of parents who have seen welcome changes in their children after two months of playing the game. Even the young players have noticed some differences in their attention levels, with 73% of kids reporting an improvement, according to the official website.
Owain, who failed fifth grade, began getting As and Bs at school after routinely playing the game, says the news outlet. That’s a level-up in our books.
[via BBC and Motherly, cover image via EndeavorRx]