Seoul National University Hospital Begins Official Prescription of Digital Therapeutic Devices... 'First in Korea'

Seoul National University Hospital announced that starting from the 9th, it has officially begun prescribing digital therapeutic devices to patients with chronic insomnia. This is the first method introduced in Korea and is expected to enhance patient convenience, provide personalized treatment, and transform the paradigm of digital healthcare.

The first official prescription of a digital therapeutic device in Korea. [Image source=Seoul National University Hospital]

The digital therapeutic device (DTx) 'Somzz' is the first digital therapeutic device approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea in February last year. It was developed by Aimmed Co., Ltd. in collaboration with Seoul National University Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, and Korea University Anam Hospital. Clinical trials conducted in 2022 confirmed that it effectively reduces the severity of insomnia, improves sleep efficiency, and is a safe treatment.

Somzz is a digital therapeutic device that systematically implements Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), the standard treatment for chronic insomnia patients, through a mobile application (app). CBT-I is a cognitive behavioral therapy technique that prescribes sleep time to improve sleep efficiency, corrects cognitive errors that cause chronic insomnia, and improves patients' incorrect sleep habits.

Patients prescribed by doctors receive about 6 to 9 weeks of real-time feedback, behavioral interventions, and sleep habit education programs through the Somzz app. Through this, they can receive personalized non-pharmacological treatment to improve insomnia symptoms.

A female patient in her 40s, Ms. A, who was the first in Korea to be prescribed the digital therapeutic device Somzz at Seoul National University Hospital, had been struggling with sleep difficulties for five years. Her insomnia symptoms worsened due to stress at work and deteriorating family circumstances, and sometimes she had to drink alcohol to fall asleep.

Ms. A is expected to record her sleep diary daily through the Somzz app for the next six weeks and receive a personalized prescribed sleep time (time spent lying in bed) based on weekly sleep efficiency to improve her sleep efficiency. She will also receive education on healthy sleep habits, relaxation techniques, and cognitive therapy to correct misconceptions about sleep provided through the app.

Ms. A said, "I had relied on sleeping pills for the past two years, but since there was no effective improvement, I was prescribed a digital therapeutic device instead of sleeping pills this time. I now have hope that I can reduce or stop taking sleeping pills and still sleep well, and I will diligently undergo treatment."

Soms CBT-I Treatment Procedure Diagram. [Image source=Seoul National University Hospital]

Professor Yoo Jin Lee of the Department of Psychiatry explained, "Insomnia is a common disorder diagnosed in one out of ten people, and the best treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy. However, many patients found it difficult to receive treatment due to accessibility issues, such as having to visit the hospital weekly. Now, through digital technologies like Somzz, accessibility has improved, making it easier to receive non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia."

She added, "We hope to improve patients' sleep quality to help them become physically and mentally healthier, reduce the side effects of sleeping pills, and eventually provide more precise treatments based on accumulated data."

Meanwhile, Somzz can be prescribed as a non-reimbursed treatment after meeting certain research criteria for patients with chronic insomnia. Participating research institutions include Samsung Medical Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Severance Hospital, Yongin Severance Hospital, and Wonju Severance Christian Hospital. After the start of the innovative clinical medical technology phase in April, it is expected that prescriptions will also be possible at nearby primary medical institutions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.