Prescription Digital Therapeutic Reduced Insomnia Severity and Decreased Emergency Department Visits 

In analysis of real-world data, prescription digital therapeutic (PDT) (Somryst; Pear Therapeutics, Boston, MA) showed clinically meaningful reductions in insomnia severity index (ISI) score after 9 weeks of. People who used the PDT also had reductions in health-related services and costs in the 24-months after using the PDT compared with the 24-months prior. This treatment, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), delivers cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) via a smart phone app.

The analysis evaluated data from 248 adults with chronic insomnia treated for 9 weeks and followed longitudinally for 24 months.. At the end of the 9-week treatment period there was a 37.2% reduction in mean insomnia ISI score (19.1 at baseline and 12 at 9 weeks). ISI reponder status, defined as an improve of 7 or more on the ISI, was achieved by 58.9% of participants, and 26.6% (66/248) achieved insomnia remission (ISI score <8). The numbers needed to treat (NNT) for improvement and remission, respectively, were 1.7 and 3.8.
 
“These real-world data underscore the potential clinical utility and durable economic benefit of a prescription digital therapeutic like Somryst among people with chronic insomnia,” said Yuri Maricich, MD, chief medical officer of Pear Therapeutics. "In the last 24 months, lack of sleep has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and can greatly impact not only day-to-day activities, but also overall quality of life and long-term health. Now, it’s especially important to examine digitally delivered treatment options that can address the underlying issues of chronic insomnia.”
 
People who used the PDT for insomnia treatment also had fewer emergency department visits (53%; IRR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.82; P=.008) and an estimated reduction in per-patient costs of $2,059.