J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2025 Nov;34(Special Issue):36-46. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2025.34.S1.36.

Digital Therapeutics for Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Literature Review of Current Evidence, Target Population, and Implementation Challenges

• Hwang S

• KMID: 2574437
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2025.34.S1.36

Abstract

Purpose
Recent evidence indicates that digital therapeutics effectively enhance cognitive function for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. This review presents evidence-based recommendations regarding the use of digital therapeutics in rehabilitation and clinical settings for ADHD treatment, synthesizing findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Methods
The review examined records up to September 30, 2025, across three main databases: PubMed, Embase, and ProQuest Nursing, ultimately including nineteen RCTs. Key information extracted from these studies included the authors, treatment methods and intensity, outcome measures, and results.
Results
Game-based therapies were the most used interventions to improve cognitive functions such as inhibition, working memory, response time, and social skills for ADHD in children and adolescents. While digital therapeutics showed greater effectiveness in experimental groups compared to control groups, it's important to note that five studies included control groups that did not receive any treatment.
Conclusion
Moving forward, digital therapeutics for ADHD should be developed as personalized and age-specific interventions, with ongoing research to determine the optimal treatment intensity. Overall, this review suggests that digital therapeutics significantly enhance cognitive function for ADHD in children and adolescent population.

Keyword

ADHD; Adolescent; Children; Therapeutics