A US military veteran has launched a legal battle against the creators of a widely-used brain-training application, accusing the company of misleading claims about its ability to alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court, alleges that the app's developers engaged in deceptive marketing by promising "clinically proven" cognitive improvements for PTSD patients without proper scientific backing.
Questionable Science Behind Popular App
According to court documents, the veteran spent hundreds of dollars on subscriptions after seeing advertisements suggesting the app could help with memory, focus and emotional regulation - all areas affected by his combat-related PTSD.
"After six months of daily use, I saw no improvement in my symptoms," the plaintiff stated. "If anything, I felt more frustrated because I'd invested so much time and money based on their false promises."
Growing Scrutiny of Digital Health Claims
This case highlights increasing concerns about the digital wellness industry, where many apps make bold health claims without FDA approval or peer-reviewed research to support them.
Legal experts suggest this lawsuit could set an important precedent for how brain-training applications market their products, particularly to vulnerable populations like military veterans.
The app's developers have denied any wrongdoing, maintaining their product is "backed by neuroscience research." However, they declined to comment specifically on the PTSD-related claims cited in their marketing materials.
