Utilizing PDTs in the Future for Negative Symptoms

Patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia represent a significant unmet medical need, with approximately 60% of individuals with schizophrenia experiencing these debilitating symptoms. These patients often endure longer hospital stays because their symptoms can be mistaken for depression, leading to unnecessary health care costs and delayed appropriate treatment. Patients with negative symptoms struggle with expressive, motivational, and experiential aspects of daily living that significantly impact their overall quality of life.

The potential for digital therapeutics to address these symptoms offers hope for patients who have limited treatment options. Clinical trials like the CONVOKE study examining CT-155 demonstrate that patients can benefit from interactive psychosocial interventions delivered through smartphone applications. These digital interventions could help patients develop motivation, improve social engagement, and enhance their ability to participate in academic, vocational, and family activities.

For patients living with schizophrenia, particularly those experiencing negative symptoms, digital therapeutics represent an opportunity to regain aspects of life that the disease has impacted. The potential for prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) to help patients strengthen family relationships, pursue educational goals, and engage in meaningful work could reduce the burden of disability while improving individual outcomes. Patients deserve access to these innovative treatments that address the complex psychological and social challenges associated with schizophrenia’s negative symptoms.