Mental Health Tech Insider: Where Technology Meets Mental Health

Welcome to the third issue of Mental Health Tech Insider —your compass for navigating the intersection of technology and mental health. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, advisor, or simply fascinated by the industry’s evolution, this newsletter is designed for you.

This week, we explore the first FDA-approved digital treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and its potential impact on technology adoption in mental health and highlight new research showing promising results from XR-Enhanced Behavioral Activation for Depression. Plus, why we often have a higher trust in people in uniform—aka the authority bias.

If you're in NYC on May 5th, come say hi to us at the Optimism.IL event.?

Best,

Maria

Technologies Transforming Mental Health

Around 18% of U.S. adults struggle with depression, and a third of them don't fully respond to antidepressants, still showing symptoms despite treatment.

A recent FDA decision has kicked off a potential transformation in mental health care, granting FDA approval to Rejoyn (developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Click Therapeutics), the first digital treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

As opposed to general wellness apps, Rejoyn is intended for use alongside antidepressant medications, and is authorized for prescription use by healthcare professionals. Its six-week program, integrates cognitive-emotional training with cognitive behavioral therapy to assist adults who are already on antidepressant medications.?

Interestingly enough, the clinical trial involved 386 individuals aged 22 to 64, all diagnosed with MDD, unresponsive to traditional antidepressants. Participants were randomly assigned to use either the Rejoyn app or a control app, the latter involving memory tasks without any therapeutic training elements.?

Participants using the Rejoyn app reported improvements in depressive symptoms from their baseline; however, these changes were not significantly different from those observed in users of the control app, and no side effects were reported.?

The FDA's green light for Rejoyn is a step forward in tech based mental health treatment is definitely exciting news, with a few caveats worth noting:

Effectiveness: The clinical trial demonstrated that the improvements in depressive symptoms among Rejoyn users were similar to those experienced by participants using the control app, raising questions on its effectiveness beyond a placebo effect.

Engagement: While the study had an impressive 88% adherence rate, the real challenge lies in maintaining user interest and consistent engagement with mental health apps outside of controlled settings.

Insurance Coverage: The inconclusive trial results may affect insurance coverage, unless further evidence can demonstrate its benefits.

From the Research

Extended Reality in Depression Therapy: A Stanford Study

A 2024 study published in JMIR Mental Health explored using extended reality (XR) to boost behavioral activation (BA) therapy for adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). Led by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine, the study involved 26 participants, all diagnosed with MDD.

Key Findings:

Safety and Feasibility: XR-BA turned out to be a safe, feasible, and well-accepted option for treating MDD in a telehealth setting. Participants handled the XR headset well and reported no significant side effects.

Efficacy: XR-BA held up just as well as traditional BA, effectively reducing depressive symptoms. Both groups saw meaningful drops in their PHQ-9 scores, a measure of depression severity.

Potential Placebo Effect:? Interestingly, participants in the XR-BA group showed a notable decrease in PHQ-9 scores even before starting the treatment. This suggests there might be an "expectancy effect" driven by the use of new XR tech.

Study Limitations:

Small Sample Size: With only 26 participants, the study's small sample size may limit the generalizability of the results.

Lack of Blinding: The absence of double-blinding could introduce bias, as both participants and researchers were aware of the treatment assignments, possibly influenced by the novelty factor associated with XR.

Subjective Measures: The reliance on self-reported tools like the PHQ-9 might lead to potential inaccuracies.

Short Duration: The brief three-week intervention period may not accurately capture the long-term effects of XR-BA.

It'd be great to see more research looking into how the novelty of XR might influence patient expectations and figuring out the best ways to utilize it into everyday clinical practice.

From the Market?

The Art of Bouncing Back: Resilience

Resilience is often defined as the capacity to recover and maintain psychological well-being despite life’s challenges.

If you're in NYC on June 5th, join me at the Optimism.IL event. We’ll explore how technology integrates with mental health and resilience, and hopefully, we'll uncover many reasons to stay optimistic along the way.

From Science to Behavior - Dr. knows best

Authority Bias : When we automatically accept statements from experts or influential figures as true, without requiring solid proof.? This tendency is often fueled by the authority's perceived expertise, social status, and power.?The downside? Think about times patients don’t question a doctor’s advice when they probably should.

Simply following authority without independent verification can lead to poor decisions and cause us to miss out on better alternatives.?

To overcome authority bias, start with thinking critically, question information, and hear different opinions.?

In a world full of tech, stay human, see human,

Maria

About the author:

I am Dr. Maria Blekher, a behavioral scientist, growth strategist, and investor with a robust background in consumer behavior and market strategies. I hold a PhD from Ben Gurion University and a postdoc at NYU, leading to my role as the founding director of the YU Innovation Lab in the heart of the NYC tech ecosystem. My expertise centers on bridging market entry gaps for startups, aligning go-to-market strategies with profound consumer behavior insights and market dynamics, and cultivating strategic partnerships. Driven by a mission to make an impact and enhance the human experience through technological innovation, I am currently launching Serendipity Impact VC —investing in early-stage, disruptive neuro and mental health startups.