The landscape of mental health care is undergoing a significant transformation. Traditional methods of treatment, while valuable, may fall short for some and leave those patients looking for more support. And despite the prevalence of mental-health disorders, patient care is still hindered by stigma, provider shortages, and high treatment costs. As technology advances, the potential for digital health solutions to bridge these gaps becomes more apparent, offering new hope for those seeking effective and convenient ways to manage their mental well-being.
To address these pressing challenges, prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) are emerging as a transformative solution for managing mental health care and depression symptoms. PDTs are technology-driven, evidence-based interventions prescribed by healthcare providers. They offer patients direct access to therapeutic tools that integrate seamlessly into their daily lives. Designed to treat medical conditions through behavioral and psychological strategies, these software-based treatments are changing the mental health landscape.
“Accessibility is a problem all across healthcare, no matter what providers are treating,” said Daniel Carpenter, a clinical psychologist and Senior Director, Global Digital Therapeutics Product Development at Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (OPH). “It’s imperative that we create treatments that meet patients where they’re at, especially when it comes to depression. Increasingly, that’s through their phones.”
Driven by the need for accessible and flexible care for patients with depression, OPH launched Rejoyn™, a digital treatment aimed at supporting adults aged 22 years and older who are on antidepressant medication.
As the first and only FDA-authorized prescription app specifically designed to help treat depression symptoms, Rejoyn offers a cutting-edge approach to MDD that blends cognitive-emotional training (CET) exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based video lessons designed by leading psychologists, psychiatrists, and neuroscientists into an on-demand digital experience.
Rejoyn’s structured approach to treatment of MDD symptoms
Most patients with MDD are prescribed pharmacological treatments like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), which primarily target chemical imbalances in the brain; however, recent research suggests that depression isn’t just about chemical imbalances. For some people with depression, the feeling part of the brain, the amygdala, and the thinking part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, have trouble communicating. When these parts aren’t communicating properly with one another, the brain struggles to process emotions. As negative emotions become more and more powerful, it can make people feel like they’re spiraling.
Rejoyn leverages neuroplasticity, the brain’s natural ability to change, to address these communication gaps via proven brain-training exercises (CET exercises). These exercises are designed to activate the amygdala and prefrontal cortex at the same time and help strengthen the connection between them, so they’re able to communicate better. This may help to improve how the brain processes emotions.
Unlike general wellness apps, Rejoyn requires a provider’s prescription and offers a structured, 6-week program specifically designed to help reduce depression symptoms. During this time, patients engage in the brain-training exercises—about 20-30 minutes, 3 times per week. The difficulty of exercises adjusts based on patient performance to ensure the exercises remain challenging, but doable.
In addition to the CET exercises, short skills-based therapy lessons—about 5 minutes each, completed 3 times per week—teach practical skills for managing depression symptoms, such as handling strong emotions, reframing negative thinking, and taking positive actions. After completing the 6-week active treatment, patients can access these therapy lessons for an additional 4 weeks.
“Rejoyn is an innovative addition to traditional depression medications, geared towards individuals who might need that extra support,” Carpenter said. “It’s not meant to replace standalone therapy or existing medications.”
While developing Rejoyn, researchers conducted a 13-week remote trial to evaluate its effectiveness and safety alongside current antidepressant medication. The trial allowed participants to use the app-based treatment from the comfort of their homes, simulating everyday use. “We didn’t give patients a brand new phone; they just downloaded the app onto their existing devices,” Carpenter said. “It helped us evaluate the app’s usability and engagement in a setting that mirrored how future patients would actually use it in their everyday lives.”
Rejoyn: A treatment for patients seeking more
Results from the remote clinical trial showed a reduction in depressive symptoms among users without any reported side effects related to Rejoyn, thereby supporting its use as an add-on treatment to existing antidepressant medications. Carpenter explained that Rejoyn may be suited for individuals who have experienced a partial response to their current antidepressant medications and may be seeking alternatives to additional medications.
“Traditional medication can be very effective for treating MDD, but there’s a proportion of patients who still have ongoing depression symptoms,” noted Carpenter. These partial responders may benefit from an adjunctive treatment like Rejoyn, which offers a nonpharmacological approach to supplement their existing care plan. It’s a promising development for app-based interventions, which can empower patients to play an active role in their mental health journey.
Patients interested in accessing Rejoyn have 2 options for obtaining a prescription: They can either speak with their healthcare provider or start a virtual consult with a telehealth provider at rejoyn.com. If the patient is determined right for Rejoyn, the prescription will be sent directly to BlinkRx, an online pharmacy specializing in digital health products. The full 6-week program typically costs $200, but its current introductory offer allows patients to access it for just $50 out of pocket.* Current introductory offer makes it available for just $50 out of pocket for those whose insurance does not cover Rejoyn. OPH is committed to accessibility that allows more individuals to seek innovative treatment for their mental health.
“Our goal with this treatment, aside from improving patients’ symptoms of depression, is to light the fire for other healthcare companies to move forward with technologies that can benefit brain health,” Carpenter said.
PDTs are bridging the gap for mental health care beyond traditional medical environments. Treatments like Rejoyn may help to empower individuals by fostering active participation in their treatment journeys. “We want to help people with their depression symptoms,” Carpenter said. “The more we understand how the brain works, the better equipped we are to do that.”
Take treatment into your own hands with Rejoyn. Talk to your current provider or schedule a virtual consultation today.
*Full price is $200. The limited time offer is available to those who do not pay for Rejoyn through insurance. You may pay less if your insurance covers Rejoyn. The pharmacy will automatically check your coverage when processing your prescription.
INDICATION: Rejoyn is a prescription digital therapeutic for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms as an adjunct to clinician-managed outpatient care for adult patients with MDD age 22 years and older who are on antidepressant medication. It is intended to reduce MDD symptoms.
SAFETY INFORMATION: Rejoyn is not intended to be used as a standalone treatment. Rejoyn does not replace your current medication, including medication for treatment of MDD. You should continue your current treatment as directed by your healthcare provider.
Rejoyn cannot send alerts or warnings to your healthcare provider. If you feel that your depression symptoms are worsening or if you have feelings or thoughts of harming yourself or others, please contact your healthcare provider, dial 911, or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Please see the Patient Instructions for Use at rejoyn.com/IFU.
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October 2024 20US24EBC0080
