The Role of PDTs in Clinical Practice

Currently, patients with schizophrenia do not have access to FDA-approved prescription digital therapeutics, though promising developments are emerging. One digital therapeutic (CT-155) has received breakthrough designation and completed phase 3 clinical trials, with results expected to be presented to the mental health community soon. For patients with depression, clinicians can prescribe reSET, an approved digital therapeutic that provides cognitive behavioral therapy as an adjunct to medications, demonstrating the potential for similar applications in schizophrenia treatment.

Clinical experience with existing PDTs reveals both opportunities and challenges for patient care. Clinicians report some bias in selecting patients for digital therapeutics, often choosing those who appear more technologically savvy. Insurance coverage remains a barrier for many patients, requiring assistance from pharmaceutical representatives to access these tools. Additionally, clinicians currently lack robust methods for monitoring patient engagement with digital therapeutics, relying on patient self-reporting and periodic reminders during follow-up visits.

Future applications of PDTs show promise for patients who are hesitant about traditional medications. Parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, for example, may prefer digital therapeutics over pharmaceutical interventions, and similar preferences may exist among patients with schizophrenia or their families. While PDTs are currently approved as adjunctive treatments alongside medications, they may eventually play a role as standalone therapies for certain patients. This flexibility could provide treatment options for patients who refuse medications or are in early stages of illness where diagnostic certainty is still developing.