Digital therapeutics are a new category of apps that help treat diseases by modifying patient
behavior and providing remote monitoring to
improve long-term health outcomes. These apps
can help hypertension patients lower their blood
pressure, reduce dependence on opioids for those
with chronic pain, and help diabetics monitor their
blood sugar.
“For blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, obesity
– lifestyle-related chronic illnesses – the foundation
of good care is behavioral change,” says dermatologist
Dr. Joseph Kvedar, vice president of connected
health at Partners HealthCare in Boston and a
board member of the Personal Connected Health
Alliance. Digital therapeutics is an especially powerful
tool when it sends personalized messages that
motivate people to make healthier choices, he adds.
The digital therapeutics market is forecast to
grow from $1.7 billion in 2016 to $9.4 billion by
2025, according to Grand View Research Inc. The
increase is driven by improving technology and
data algorithms, the openness of patients using and
wearing technology, and research showing the
e. ectiveness of technology in improving health.