Digital Therapeutics and ‘Electronic Medicine’ Gain Traction in South Korea

SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Korea Bizwire) – In an era of rapid technological advancement, South Korean medical professionals are increasingly turning to digital therapeutics and so-called “electronic medicine” to treat and manage various health conditions without traditional pharmaceuticals.

Last month, Dr. Kang Dong-wha, a neurologist at Seoul Asan Hospital, prescribed a digital therapeutic device called VIVID Brain to a patient suffering from visual impairment following a stroke.

This cognitive therapy tool, developed by Dr. Kang himself, represents a growing trend in healthcare that leverages information and communication technology (ICT) to deliver innovative treatment options.

Digital therapeutics are software-based medical devices that prevent, treat, or manage diseases based on scientific evidence.

VIVID Brain, for instance, utilizes a virtual reality (VR) mobile application to offer customized visual perception training. Patients use a joystick to respond to visual tasks displayed on a VR headset, potentially improving visual sensitivity and promoting brain plasticity without the need for hospital visits. 

As chronic diseases become more prevalent and interest in home-based care grows, digital therapeutics are attracting attention for their minimal side effects and ease of use in daily life. They also offer advantages in development, bypassing the preclinical animal testing phase required for traditional drugs, thus reducing costs and time to market.

The Digital Healthcare Center at Hanyang University has recently completed confirmatory clinical trials for a depression-focused digital therapeutic and is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The center is also conducting trials for obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety treatments. 

These therapeutic devices often involve VR-based physical activity games accessible via mobile devices, PCs, or TVs. Usage data is provided to both doctors and patients through a dashboard, enabling real-time monitoring.

Professor Kim Hyung-sook, director of Hanyang University’s Digital Healthcare Center, told Yonhap News, “Medical professionals can track the number of patients using the therapeutic devices nationwide and their effectiveness through the dashboard.”

She emphasized the importance of integrating software with hospitals and main platforms to create a hub, which she believes is crucial for the growth of the digital therapeutics ecosystem. 

In addition to software-based therapies, electronic medicine devices that stimulate the brain and nerves to treat central nervous system disorders and depression are also gaining popularity.

 

Ybrain, a brain science-based electronic medicine platform company, reported that its depression treatment device MINDD STIM+ surpassed 90,000 prescriptions last month. 

MINDD STIM+, designed for patients with mild to moderate major depressive disorder, delivers electrical stimulation through the scalp via a headband, activating or inhibiting neural activity.

While electronic devices like pacemakers and deep brain stimulators have been in use for some time, the application of electronic medicine is expanding to areas such as depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and migraines. 

A spokesperson for Ybrain noted the device’s popularity among younger generations, adding, “MINDD STIM+ can be prescribed to continue treatment when antidepressants are ineffective or cause side effects.”

Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)