Clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is typically treated with psychotherapy or antidepressant medications. However, with the FDA's recent approval of a digital application indicated for MDD treatment earlier this year, patients may be entering a new era of mental health management. The digital application is indicated for use in clinician-managed outpatient care of MDD in conjunction with antidepressants. The application offers a 6-week treatment course comprising Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based lessons, Emotional Faces Memory Task (EFMT) exercises and Personalized Reminders and Messaging. CBT-based lessons encourage patients to reflect on their thoughts and behaviours and develop positive alternatives. EFMT exercises stimulate the amygdala and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to enhance cognitive control over emotional information processing. The double-blind, randomized controlled Mirai trial has demonstrated the clinical efficacy of the new digital therapeutic2. By the end of the 6-week treatment program, patients randomized to the treatment group experienced a significantly greater reduction in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score than those in the sham control group. The overall percentage of patients in the treatment group experiencing symptom remission, full, or partial response was also significantly higher than those in the sham control arm. This provides promising evidence that combined digital and antidepressant therapy may improve MDD treatment outcomes. A key factor to consider when predicting the real-world efficacy of the digital application is adherence, as it is common for users of digital mental health interventions to exhibit low adherence rates3,4. Ongoing monitoring of users' experiences with digital treatment might help identify new strategies to improve adherence and treatment outcomes. This innovative approach empowers MDD patients to take an active role in their recovery, transforming the landscape of depression treatment.
References
1. Qeadan F, et al. Addiction [Internet]. 2024 Oct 16; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16679
2. Rejoyn Clinician Brief Summary [Internet]. Rejoyn. 2024. Available from: https://www.rejoynhcp.com/Clinician-Brief-Summary.pdf
3. Woolley MG, et al. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. 2024 Apr 15;1–15.
4. Forbes A, et al. 2023 Jun 28;25:e43727.
5. Scott TM, et al. Journal of Nutrition [Internet]. 2024 Oct 1; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.10.022
