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New Headset for Depression Treatment Now Available in US
Developing
In Short: An at-home wearable for depression treatment is now available by prescription in the US, though its high price may limit its adoption.
An at-home wearable device for the treatment of depression is now available by prescription in the US, according to reports. The device, which targets the same part of the brain as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), an approved treatment for depression, is currently priced at a four-figure amount, which may slow its widespread use among patients.
The device, known as the Flow, requires a Mac with an Apple silicon chip for operation, as it is not compatible with Intel Macs, according to MacRumors. While the headset promises to help with depression, it joins a growing market of at-home wearables designed to improve mental health, such as the Muse headband for meditation and the Elemind device for sleep assistance.
The Flow device works by breaking down images into relevant items like clothing and matching them with products available through its collection, according to TechCrunch. If the exact item in the photo is still available, the app can match the image back to the retailer selling it. If not, similar options are surfaced instead.
People with depression often have lower activity and weaker neural connections in the targeted part of the brain, according to WIRED. While the device shows promise, its high price tag may limit its adoption, as it might take some time for the futuristic-looking headset to catch on with patients.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.
Sources
- WIREDlink