Safety review
Awards & Certifications
About the app
EndeavorRx is a revolutionary, first-of-its-kind application that holds the distinction of being the first and only digital therapeutic (DTx), a prescription-only video game, authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This clinical authorization is the foundation of its exceptionally robust child safety profile, earning it the highest possible rating of 5 out of 5. It is indicated for children and adolescents aged 8 through 17 who have been diagnosed with primarily inattentive or combined-type ADHD, providing a non-drug, clinically proven option to directly improve attention function. It is designed to be used as part of a comprehensive therapeutic program that may include clinician-directed therapy, medication, and educational strategies. For parents, EndeavorRx offers an innovative, engaging, and rigorously tested treatment alternative. **I. Clinically Proven Mechanism and Efficacy** The therapeutic effect of EndeavorRx is delivered through a proprietary technology called the Selective Stimulus Management Engine (SSME™).
The SSME is an adaptive algorithm that presents targeted sensory stimuli and motor challenges to the user while they play the game. The core function is to continuously challenge and stimulate the neural systems in the brain that are responsible for attention control, specifically the prefrontal cortex. As the child plays, the technology monitors their performance and automatically adjusts the difficulty level in real-time. This personalized calibration ensures the child is kept at an optimal point of cognitive challenge, not so hard as to cause frustration, but demanding enough to drive beneficial neuroplastic change. The goal is to strengthen the ability to focus, ignore distractions, and effectively sustain attention. The efficacy of EndeavorRx is validated by data from five separate clinical studies involving over 600 children with ADHD. The key findings demonstrated that the treatment course, which consists of playing the game for approximately 25 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for four consecutive weeks, significantly improved objective measures of attention as assessed by computer-based attention tests.
More importantly, real-world benefits were observed: parents reported improvements in their child's daily life, specifically in attention-related tasks at home and in school. Furthermore, clinical data supports a durable treatment effect, with attention improvements persisting for up to one month following the end of the first treatment course, and maintenance of benefits with a second course of treatment. The prescription requirement (I427: FDA Cleared) ensures that the treatment is applied under the oversight of a physician, who can track and manage the child's response. **II. Uncompromising Safety and Privacy (Safety Rating: 5)** As a prescription digital therapeutic, the safety and privacy standards for EndeavorRx are significantly higher than those for typical educational or entertainment apps, which is the primary reason for its exceptional safety rating.1. **FDA Authorization:** The FDA clearance process requires exhaustive evidence of both safety and efficacy, meaning the potential benefits of the game outweigh any potential risks. This is a level of validation no other non-prescription child app possesses. 2. **Closed, Therapeutic Environment:** EndeavorRx is a completely closed environment. It has **No Ads** (J427: N), **No external social features**, and no open-ended interaction that could expose a child to inappropriate content or unmonitored communication.
Its purpose is singular: treatment. 3. **Data Handling and Tracking:** While the row data (K427) states *No tracking reported* for general tracking, the app *must* collect data to function as a medical device. The developer's privacy policy confirms that personal information, device identifiers, and, most critically, **performance metrics** (usage details, in-game scores, responsiveness) are collected. This collection is essential for the physician and the system to monitor the treatment's efficacy and adherence. The difference between this and commercial tracking is vital: the collected data is protected health information (PHI) and is managed under stringent regulatory frameworks like HIPAA (in the US) and global data protection laws (like GDPR). The developer, Akili, explicitly commits to **not knowingly selling or sharing personal information** for marketing or behavioral advertising purposes. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest, ensuring the highest security for a child's sensitive medical data.
4. **Control and Access:** The application includes a necessary Parental Gate (L427: Y) to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive features and ensure that the treatment is initiated and monitored by the caregiver. The only In-App Purchase (G427: Y) relates to the necessary subscription and licensing for the prescribed treatment, not for in-game content, eliminating the risk of unregulated spending by the child.**III. Parent-Centric Design and Use** EndeavorRx is delivered via the iOS platform (C427: iOS) and is structured for ease of use within a medical protocol. The treatment is delivered in a gamified, engaging format that is explicitly designed to hold the attention of a child with ADHD. The game features active graphics, challenging tasks, and a sense of progression to maintain motivation, turning a clinical necessity into an enjoyable experience. The parent portal and reporting features allow caregivers to be active participants in the treatment process, providing transparency on the child's adherence to the protocol and their progress. This combination of clinical rigor, robust privacy, and child-focused engagement establishes EndeavorRx as an exemplary and safe therapeutic tool for a vulnerable population. (848 words)
Selection Criteria
Our assessment is based on a review of four core pillars: privacy, age-appropriateness, educational value, and the absence of advertising. We also look to awards, certifications and other recognition. These combined factors determine the app's final safety rating.