The FDA has granted an accelerated pathway to approval to a new treatment that aims to help aid people who are suffering from fibromyalgia.
The revolutionary new digital treatment from Swing Therapeutics will allow patients to access different types of therapy from their mobile devices.
Swing therapeutics announced that this new development was in order to, "close the gap with accessible digital behavioral therapies."
The company announced, "Swing is working to make it easier for people with chronic conditions to digitally access cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based treatments, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Our approach can be combined with other treatments."
"Our team has recently completed a pilot study of our investigational, digital treatment, for the management of fibromyalgia, and we are currently planning additional trials, in collaboration with leading clinicians and researchers around the country."
The treatment will now be available as a smart-phone based therapy that can be accessed from the comfort of your own home on your own device.
There are primarily two therapies that are available on the app. Cognitive Behavioural therapy, a verbal therapy that allows users to combat their negative thought patterns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is also available and helps those suffering from chronic conditions. The therapy it is goal-oriented and solution-focused to help patients gain control over their illness.
Over 10 million Americans have fibromyalgia. The symptoms of this condition include widespread pain, aching, and tenderness throughout the body.
The chronic illness also included fatigue and tiredness and suffers often struggle with their mental health with illnesses such as depression or anxiety.
There are medications available but they have varying levels of success for different individuals and can cause unwanted side effects.
Various celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Morgan Freeman, Sinead O’Connor have opened up about their struggles with fibromyalgia and chronic pain.
Lady Gaga opened up about her chronic illness in her Netflix documentary titled Gaga: Five Foot Two.
In the documentary, the star says, "My pain does me no good unless I transform it into something that is. So I hope people watching it who do struggle with chronic pain know that they’re not alone. It’s freeing for me… and I want people that struggle with it to hear me."
Researchers behind the new treatment plan have explained why this new program could be life-changing for some.
David Williams, Ph.D., Associate Director of Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan, and advisor to Swing Therapeutics said, "Currently, most people living with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia are offered medications and some suggestions for modifying their lifestyle."
"Behavioral therapies have evidence supporting their effectiveness for pain management, but are not widely available or easily accessed by the average individual."
"Swing is tackling the challenge of making these therapies more available in a digital format. I look forward to following Swing as the company continues to build evidence to support its approach.”
The FDA has granted the digital therapeutic 'Breakthrough designation,' which means that the pathway to approval has been sped up.
The company is currently working toward a Phase 3 clinical trial to establish safety and efficacy before it will be widely available.
Those suffering from fibromyalgia can see if they qualify for this treatment plan at react-fm.com.
