The efficacy of mindfulness meditation apps in enhancing users’ well-being and mental health related outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Gál, Éva; Ștefan, Simona; Cristea, Ioana A.

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.134

Cited by 181 publications

(157 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Overall, virtual MBIs are more effective at improving sleep quality than usual care controls and waitlist controls. Our findings are aligned with other systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which found improvements in stress and psychiatric symptoms in clinical and general populations following virtual MBIs [ 40 •, 41 •, 42 •]. Our findings, in conjunction with prior literature, have global implications for improving mental and physical health during a pandemic and could inform the implementation of virtual MBIs during physical distancing, quarantine, and lockdown periods.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

The Effect of Virtual Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Jiang

Rosario

Stahl

et al. 2021

Curr Psychiatry Rep

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Purpose of Review We summarized peer-reviewed literature investigating the effect of virtual mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on sleep quality. We aimed to examine the following three questions: (1) do virtual MBIs improve sleep quality when compared with control groups; (2) does the effect persist long-term; and (3) is the virtual delivery method equally feasible compared to the in-person delivery method? Recent Findings Findings suggest that virtual MBIs are equivalent to evidence-based treatments, and to a limited extent, more effective than non-specific active controls at reducing some aspects of sleep disturbance. Overall, virtual MBIs are more effective at improving sleep quality than usual care controls and waitlist controls. Studies provide preliminary evidence that virtual MBIs have a long-term effect on sleep quality. Moreover, while virtual MBI attrition rates are comparable to in-person MBI attrition rates, intervention adherence may be compromised in the virtual delivery method. Summary This review highlights virtual MBIs as a potentially effective alternative to managing sleep disturbance during pandemic-related quarantine and stay-at-home periods. This is especially relevant due to barriers of accessing in-person interventions during the pandemic. Future studies are needed to explore factors that influence adherence and access to virtual MBIs, with a particular focus on diverse populations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

The Effect of Virtual Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Jiang

Rosario

Stahl

et al. 2021

Curr Psychiatry Rep

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“…To date, Headspace and Calm are the leading mindfulness meditation apps with 65 and 100 million total downloads, respectively [ 2 , 3 ]. Interventions using mindfulness meditation apps indicate small- to medium-sized effects on improvements in depression and anxiety, life satisfaction, and positive affect [ 4 ], and greater engagement with mental health apps is associated with larger reductions in mental health symptoms [ 5 ]. Thus, mindfulness meditation apps are easily accessible, feasible, and cost-effective tools for promoting mental health and well-being on a large scale [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interventions using mindfulness meditation apps indicate small- to medium-sized effects on improvements in depression and anxiety, life satisfaction, and positive affect [ 4 ], and greater engagement with mental health apps is associated with larger reductions in mental health symptoms [ 5 ]. Thus, mindfulness meditation apps are easily accessible, feasible, and cost-effective tools for promoting mental health and well-being on a large scale [ 4 ]. Despite the potential benefits of using these apps, not everyone remains engaged [ 5 ], and existing mobile Health strategies to increase mindfulness meditation app engagement have yet to identify techniques that can increase participation, both among subscribers who are active users (ie, currently using an app on a regular or semiregular basis) and those who are inactive users (ie, those who subscribed to an app but did not or no longer use it).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Mood Check-in Feature for Participation in Meditation Mobile App Users: Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis

Huberty¹,

Green²,

Puzia³

et al. 2021

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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Background Mindfulness meditation smartphone apps may improve mental health but lack evidence-based behavioral strategies to encourage their regular use for attaining mental health benefits. In October 2019, the Calm mindfulness meditation app introduced a mood check-in feature, but its effects on participation in meditation have yet to be tested. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate how a mood check-in feature impacts meditation behavior in Calm app subscribers. Methods This was a retrospective longitudinal analysis of mobile app usage data from a random sample of first-time subscribers to the Calm app (n=2600) who joined in summer 2018 or summer 2019. The mood check-in feature allows users to rate their mood using an emoji after completing a meditation session and displays a monthly calendar of their past mood check-ins. Regression analyses were used to compare the rate of change in meditation behavior before and after the introduction of mood check-ins and to estimate how usage of mood check-ins was associated with individuals’ future meditation behavior (ie, intent-to-treat effects). Additional regression models examined the heterogenous effect of mood check-ins between subscribers who were active or inactive users prior to the introduction to mood check-ins (ie, above or below the median number of weeks with any meditation within their cohort). In order to confirm the specific associations between mood check-ins and meditation engagement, we modeled the direct relationship between the use of mood check-ins in previous weeks and subsequent meditation behavior (ie, treatment on the treated effects). Results During the first 9 months of their subscription, the 2019 cohort completed an average of 0.482 more sessions per week (95% CI 0.309 to 0.655) than the 2018 cohort; however, across both cohorts, average weekly meditation declined (–0.033 sessions per week, 95% CI –0.035 to –0.031). Controlled for trends in meditation before mood check-ins and aggregate differences between the 2018 and 2019 samples, the time trend in the number of weekly meditation sessions increased by 0.045 sessions among the 2019 cohort after the introduction of mood check-ins (95% CI 0.039 to 0.052). This increase in meditation was most pronounced among the inactive subscribers (0.063 sessions, 95% CI 0.052 to 0.074). When controlled for past-week meditation, use of mood check-ins during the previous week was positively associated with the likelihood of meditating the following week (odds ratio 1.132, 95% CI 1.059 to 1.211); however, these associations were not sustained beyond 1 week. Conclusions Using mood check-ins increases meditation participation in Calm app subscribers and may be especially beneficial for inactive subscribers. Mobile apps should consider incorporating mood check-ins to help better engage a wider range of users in app-based meditation, but more research is warranted...

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“…Considering the pandemic conditions and the difficulty in getting professional help, developing mindfulness practices via the internet is especially interesting. Mindfulness meditation apps have low or medium effects on perceived stress or anxiety symptoms, although there is no evidence of their long-term effectiveness [ 33 ]. Other online mindfulness-based interventions are also promising, with the most promising findings for stress [ 34 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the Associations between Psychological Flexibility, Mindfulness, Psychosomatic Functioning, and Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Path Analysis

Wielgus¹,

Urban²,

Patriak

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Social distancing plays a leading role in controlling the spread of coronavirus. However, prolonged lockdown can lead to negative consequences in terms of mental health. The goal of the research is to examine the relationship between anxiety and general psychosomatic functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of psychological flexibility and mindfulness is also considered. Variables were measured with self-report questionnaires and symptom checklists. The sample included 170 people (M = 27.79, SD = 8.16). Pearson’s correlation, stepwise regression, and path analysis were conducted. The results showed a significant positive relationship between state anxiety and somatic and psychological responses to the pandemic. Path analysis revealed that mindfulness had a direct negative impact on and decreased the level of state anxiety (b = −0.22, p = 0.002), whereas psychological flexibility influenced the variable indirectly (b = 0.23, p = 0.002) by enhancing psychosomatic functioning (b = −0.64, p < 0.001). Psychological flexibility and mindfulness may mediate the development of mental disorders and facilitate achieving overall wellbeing. The study points to the usefulness of mindfulness practice as a form of self-help with anxiety symptoms; this is crucial during the pandemic because contact with clients is restricted.

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The efficacy of mindfulness meditation apps in enhancing users’ well-being and mental health related outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Cited by 181 publications

References 67 publications

The Effect of Virtual Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

The Effect of Virtual Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Evaluation of Mood Check-in Feature for Participation in Meditation Mobile App Users: Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis

Examining the Associations between Psychological Flexibility, Mindfulness, Psychosomatic Functioning, and Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Path Analysis

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