FocusLocus · Project

Game-Based ADHD Management System That Replaces Medication With Play

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Imagine a child who can't sit still in school, struggles to focus, and is falling behind — and the main solution offered is daily medication with side effects. FocusLocus built a video game that actually trains the brain to improve attention and motor skills, adapting in real time to each child's needs. Think of it like a personal coach disguised as a fun game, tracking progress and adjusting difficulty automatically. The system was designed specifically for ADHD but could also help with other learning disabilities and cognitive challenges.

By the numbers

consortium partners involved in development

countries across testing and development (Greece, Spain, Ireland)

SMEs in the consortium for commercial orientation

total project deliverables produced

research organisations providing scientific validation

The business problem

What needed solving

ADHD affects a large portion of the population and creates major costs for welfare systems, schools, and families. Current treatments rely heavily on stimulant medication with controversial side effects, and there are few scalable, engaging alternatives that can be used in educational settings. Companies in EdTech, digital therapeutics, and healthcare need evidence-backed, non-pharmaceutical tools that children will actually use.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered an operational gaming system prototype — an adaptive, game-based intervention for ADHD management. It features personalised gameplay, multisensory interaction, real-time performance analytics, monitoring dashboards, and a dual UX mode for different usage contexts. A total of 11 deliverables were produced including pilot study results and documentation.

Audience

Who needs this

EdTech companies building products for neurodiverse learnersDigital therapeutics startups developing non-pharmaceutical mental health interventionsSpecial education software providers looking for adaptive learning toolsHealth insurers seeking cost-effective alternatives to ADHD medicationSchool districts and education authorities investing in inclusive education technology

Business applications

Who can put this to work

EdTech & Special Education

SME

Target: Companies developing digital learning tools or special education platforms

If you are an EdTech company dealing with the challenge of keeping neurodiverse students engaged and progressing — this project developed an operational gaming system prototype that uses adaptive game mechanics to train attention and motor skills. The system features personalisation, performance analytics, and monitoring, delivered in a dual user experience mode. It was tested in a pilot study with documented results across 3 countries with 8 consortium partners.

Digital Therapeutics & Mental Health

mid-size

Target: Companies developing non-pharmaceutical interventions for mental health conditions

If you are a digital therapeutics company looking for clinically-grounded alternatives to stimulant medication for ADHD — this project built a game-based intervention with agent-based mechanics incorporating learning schemes for behavioural change. The consortium included 4 research organisations providing scientific validation. The system generates performance analytics that could support evidence-based treatment claims.

Healthcare & Insurance

enterprise

Target: Health insurers or managed care organisations seeking cost-effective ADHD treatments

If you are a healthcare provider or insurer dealing with the high costs of ADHD treatment and the controversy around long-term stimulant medication — this project created a market-oriented gaming system that offers a non-pharmaceutical management option. Built by a consortium of 8 partners including 2 SMEs and 2 industry players, the system was designed from the start to be a marketable product with broad applicability beyond ADHD.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or integrate this gaming system?

Based on available project data, specific pricing or licensing terms are not disclosed. The project was designed as a market-oriented product from the start, and the consortium includes 2 SMEs that could serve as commercial partners. Interested companies should contact the consortium to discuss licensing arrangements.

Can this system scale to serve thousands of users across multiple schools or clinics?

The system was built with personalisation, adaptation, and performance analytics features, suggesting it was designed for multi-user deployment. A pilot study was conducted to assess the system at scale. The dual UX mode indicates it was designed for different usage contexts (e.g., clinical vs. home/school settings).

Who owns the intellectual property and is it available for licensing?

The IP is likely shared among the 8 consortium partners, coordinated by the National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos in Greece. As an EU Innovation Action project, results are typically owned by the partners who generated them. Commercial licensing would need to be negotiated with the consortium.

Has this been validated in real clinical or educational settings?

Yes — the project explicitly included deployment of a pilot study for extensive assessment of the gaming system and generation of evidence regarding its performance. Results were documented for further ADHD research purposes. The operational gaming system prototype is listed as a concrete deliverable.

Does this comply with medical device regulations in the EU?

Based on available project data, specific regulatory certifications are not mentioned. As a game-based intervention for ADHD management rather than a diagnostic tool, the regulatory pathway would depend on intended claims. Any company commercialising this would need to assess whether it falls under the EU Medical Device Regulation.

Can this be adapted for conditions other than ADHD?

The project objective explicitly states that the system is expected to be beneficial for other associated mental, psychological, and cognitive disorders and learning disabilities. This broader applicability was identified as generating substantial marketing potential beyond the ADHD-specific design.

Consortium

Who built it

The FocusLocus consortium of 8 partners across Greece, Spain, and Ireland is research-heavy, with 4 research organisations and 2 industry players (25% industry ratio). The coordinator, NCSR Demokritos, is one of Greece's leading research centres, lending scientific credibility. The presence of 2 SMEs signals commercial intent, though the relatively low industry ratio means a business partner looking to commercialise this would likely need to bring additional market access and distribution capability. The 3-country spread covers Southern and Western Europe but would need expansion for broader EU or global reach.

NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH "DEMOKRITOS"Coordinator · EL
FUNDACIO PRIVADA PER A LA RECERCA I LA DOCENCIA SANT JOAN DE DEUparticipant · ES
CORTECHSCONNECT LIMITEDparticipant · IE
VIRTUALWARE 2007 SAparticipant · ES
HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVEparticipant · IE
HOSPITAL SANT JOAN DE DEUthirdparty · ES
FUNDACION VIRTUALWARE LABSthirdparty · ES

How to reach the team

NCSR Demokritos, Greece — search for FocusLocus project coordinator at demokritos.gr

Order a report on this consortium See NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH "DEMOKRITOS" profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the FocusLocus team? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with the researchers to discuss licensing, adaptation, or partnership opportunities.

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