Evidence mapPaperPMID 40424619Full record

SynthesisJournal of medical Internet research2025

Digital Therapeutics in China: Comprehensive Review.

Nan Jiang, Xiru Yu, Yuxi Yang, Guanqiao Li, Chanchan He, Man Ping Wang, Yih Chung Tham, Tien Yin Wong, Keqin Rao

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of medical Internet research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Nan JiangSchool of Healthcare Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1469-0375
Xiru YuSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2355-4668
Yuxi YangNational Medical Products Administration, Beijing, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0438-1389
Guanqiao LiVanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3626-7220
Chanchan HeSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8821-4166
Man Ping WangSchool of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong).ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4000-2388
Yih Chung ThamDepartment of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6752-797X
Tien Yin WongBeijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8448-1264
Keqin RaoInstitute for Hospital Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5652-9127

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDigital therapeutics (DTx) are software-driven interventions that provide personalized, evidence-based treatments for various medical conditions. China's rapid technological adoption, large population, and supportive government policies position it as a potential global leader in DTx. However, challenges remain in clinical trial standardization, regulatory approval, product development, and reimbursement models. A comprehensive assessment of clinical evidence, commercialization trends, and regulatory frameworks is essential for understanding China's evolving DTx ecosystem and its global implications.

objectiveThis study systematically reviews and analyzes the DTx landscape in China, focusing on clinical trials, commercial products, regulatory frameworks, and pricing and reimbursement models. The findings provide insights for countries aiming to develop, regulate, and integrate DTx solutions into health care systems.

methodsThis comprehensive review integrates multiple methodological approaches to examine different aspects of the DTx ecosystem in China. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate clinical trials, searching PubMed, Google Scholar, IEEE, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect until July 2024. Meta-analyses used random-effects models, reporting results as standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% CIs. For commercial products, a scoping review using the National Medical Products Administration database was performed. Regulatory policies were systematically identified through a manual review of official government sources, while pricing and reimbursement models were analyzed through a comprehensive assessment of public and private insurance policies, government initiatives, and commercial pathways.

results: A total of 96 clinical trials on DTx in China were identified, with cognitive disorders (n=21, 22%) and diabetes (n=20, 21%) being the most frequently studied, followed by cardiovascular diseases (n=8, 8%), sleeping disorders (n=6, 6%), and smoking cessation (n=6, 6%). Meta-analysis for diabetes DTx showed a trend toward improved hemoglobin A

conclusionsChina has made substantial progress in DTx development but still faces challenges in clinical trial standardization, regulatory approval, and reimbursement. Key factors driving DTx adoption include targeted indications, standardized clinical trials, streamlined regulation, and diversified pricing models. China's experience provides valuable lessons for other countries with emerging digital health ecosystems as they develop DTx research, regulations, and integration strategies.

trial registrationPROSPERO CRD42024615584; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024615584.

Indexed as

ChinaHumansChinadigital healthdigital interventionsdigital therapeuticsglobal experience

Identifiers

PMID40424619
PMCPMC12152435

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.