The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has given its approval to four digital technologies to support children’s mental health.
It has announced its backing for the use of: OSCA (Online Social anxiety Cognitive therapy for Adolescents); OSI (Online Support and Intervention) for child anxiety; Lumi Nova digital therapy from BfB Labs; and the Space services for teens from Silvercloud.
The products involve a mix of games, videos and quizzes based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and can help children and young people learn techniques to manage symptoms of anxiety or low mood.
NICE said they can be used as initial treatment options for 5-18 year-olds but it will be for local NHS bodies to determine how these are commissioned once they are compliant with NHS England’s Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC). Also, an initial assessment from a healthcare professional is needed before they are used with individual young people.
Early evidence suggests that digital CBT technologies may help children and young people with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety or low mood. NICE said that earlier treatment could reduce demand for other options such as face-to-face CBT.
Early value assessment
The guidance is the first to be published under NICE’s early value assessment, which provides conditional recommendations on promising health technologies.
Mark Chapman, interim director of medical technology and digital evaluation at NICE, said: “Patient experts told our committee that mental health services are in high demand, access varies widely across the country, and there is an unmet need when it comes to receiving treatment while on waiting lists to see specialists.
“These four technologies offer low risk options to children and young people who need to begin treatment as soon as possible.”
