Key Technologies Driving Digital Therapeutics in Mental Health Care

Abstract

Digital therapeutics (DTx) represent an increasingly prominent approach in mental health care delivery, offering evidence-based interventions through software applications and connected devices. Researchers have documented the growth of DTx and investigated various modalities that include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) used with psychosocial therapy, mobile health (mHealth) platforms, and immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences.

Current evidence reflects early successes and signals that mental health professionals and patients may benefit from a deeper understanding of how  these emerging tools contribute to modern treatment plans. This article examines statistical trends in mental health, reviews novel technologies shaping digital therapeutics, presents expert commentary, and offers perspective on future directions.

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that over one in five adults in the United States experience mental illness each year, a figure that indicates substantial unmet clinical need. Although conventional treatment options involving medication and psychotherapy are well established, there remain many individuals who achieve only partial relief from symptoms or continue to struggle with treatment-resistant conditions.

Emerging technologies strive to broaden the therapeutic toolbox. Digital therapeutics (DTx), interactive mobile platforms, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) combined with psychosocial therapy, and extended reality (XR) modalities, including virtual reality (VR), represent a new generation of tools. They offer greater flexibility, personalization in treatment design, enhanced data integration, and the potential to reach populations that have historically found it difficult to engage in conventional mental health care. As new research refines these approaches, the field anticipates better long-term outcomes and improved adherence to treatment plans.

A Look at the Statistics on Mental Health

Recent data indicate that mental illnesses affect a large segment of the adult population. In the United States, estimates from 2022 suggest that approximately 59.3 million adults (23.1%) have any mental illness. Within these groups, certain demographics are more affected than others. Younger adults, ages 18 to 25, report the highest prevalence at 36.2%. About half of adults with any mental illness receive some form of treatment, signaling that a significant portion may not engage with the existing care infrastructure or find current options satisfactory.

Serious mental illness, defined as a more severe subset, affects 6.0% of the adult population. Higher prevalence is recorded among certain racial groups. Additional pressures, such as economic disparities and limited access to care, present barriers to successful treatment. These statistics underscore the demand for new, effective strategies. As researchers examine the influence of cutting-edge technologies on mental health therapeutics, there is hope that these methods will help bridge treatment gaps and support individuals who struggle to find well-matched interventions.

Estimated U.S. Mental Health Indicators

Source: Data adapted from recent NIH U.S. national estimates.

New Technologies That Will Shape Digital Therapeutics

DTx (Digital Therapeutics)

Digital therapeutics have undergone extensive clinical trials over the last decade. More than 500 DTx clinical trials took place between January 2010 and December 2019, with over 40% targeting mental health domains such as psychiatry, addiction, and neurology.

Some DTx interventions function as stand-alone treatments, while others integrate into comprehensive care plans. For example, programs that incorporate cognitive-behavioral strategies through computer or smartphone-based platforms have shown promise in conditions like substance use disorders, insomnia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Products including reSET, reSET-O, and Somryst have demonstrated effectiveness and earned regulatory approvals. They may reduce barriers to treatment and allow clinicians to support patients outside traditional care settings.

As the DTx sector grows, market projections have shifted upward. Some estimates suggest that by 2025, the DTx sector could surpass $25 billion. This level of market growth reflects clinician and payer interest, along with the promise that DTx may address longstanding challenges associated with mental health treatment delivery.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

TMS represents a non-invasive method that applies magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. Approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for major depressive disorder, TMS has attracted attention in treatment-resistant cases where patients have not responded well to medications or psychotherapy. Studies indicate that TMS may improve symptoms in both unipolar and bipolar depression. Some protocols combine TMS with medications or deliver it bilaterally to achieve better outcomes.

Comparisons with standard treatments, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), show TMS to be less likely to produce cognitive side effects. Although ECT may provide more robust acute responses in severe cases, TMS offers patients a less invasive and more tolerable experience. Research aims to standardize TMS protocols and determine which populations benefit most. Given the evidence, TMS is no longer considered a fringe option; it is emerging as a regular consideration for those who have not responded to first-line interventions.

mHealth (Mobile Health)

Smartphones and other portable devices have reshaped many aspects of life, and mental health care is no exception. mHealth applications include smartphone-based platforms that deliver psychoeducation, symptom tracking, and guided exercises that patients can use in real time. These technologies reduce dependence on clinic-based settings and may improve adherence by meeting patients where they are.

Data capture is a core advantage. A patient can report mood patterns, sleep quality, and medication adherence, allowing clinicians to intervene earlier when relapses occur. The scalability of mHealth means that a single digital application can potentially support thousands of users at once. This capacity for outreach expands access to care, particularly for patients in underserved areas or those who prefer the privacy of at-home treatment.

NIBS + Psychosocial Therapy

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), which includes modalities such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and TMS, has been studied as an adjunct to psychosocial treatments. Meta-analyses suggest that combining NIBS with therapies like cognitive-behavioral or psychodynamic approaches may yield improved outcomes, especially in those with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. The idea is to use NIBS to alter specific neural pathways and then provide psychosocial interventions that help patients integrate new insights.

While some studies found no significant difference when NIBS was compared against sham procedures, others indicate that certain patient groups respond more positively. By refining patient selection criteria and identifying optimal stimulation protocols, researchers hope that NIBS plus psychosocial therapy can offer meaningful symptom relief.

XR Health (Virtual Reality)

Extended reality health solutions, particularly VR-based interventions, allow patients to engage in guided exercises that distract from discomfort, reduce anxiety, or manage pain. In clinical settings, VR has shown value in reducing anxiety during procedures and may help patients reframe traumatic memories through controlled virtual environments. Early pilots in hospital settings have found that VR experiences relax patients, prompting some to feel less pain and lowering anxiety.

Patients undergoing wide-awake surgery wearing VR headsets reported feeling transported to serene landscapes. This approach avoided additional sedation and allowed a more pleasant experience. As developers continue to refine hardware and software, VR may become a key tool for a range of mental health conditions, from specific phobias to broader mood disorders.

According to Dr. Alexander Sidawi, a board-certified psychiatrist from Orlando who has worked with diverse patient populations, the rapid growth in digital therapeutics may represent a turning point in mental health care.

He notes that „the emerging digital platforms, including virtual environments and brain stimulation devices, can offer patients new perspectives and interactive experiences that may hasten those crucial “aha” moments. While traditional therapy relies on personal interaction, new technologies can amplify certain aspects of the therapeutic process. Patients gain greater autonomy, and clinicians can track their progress remotely. Although these methods are no panacea, they can contribute to a more personalized approach and help patients understand how past experiences shape current thought patterns“.

Final Remarks

Ongoing research and clinical innovation define the next steps for digital therapeutics in mental health. As more patient data emerge, the evidence base will clarify which interventions produce stable, long-term benefits.

The interplay of DTx, TMS, mHealth, NIBS combined with psychosocial approaches, and XR technologies suggests that tomorrow’s mental health treatments may look very different from current practices. Each modality offers unique advantages. Some provide immediate relief, others aim for sustained improvement, and many address access or adherence challenges. There is reason to believe that, as evidence accumulates, clinicians and patients will develop greater confidence in these treatments.