Does a Meditation Protocol Supported by a Mobile Application Help People Reduce Stress? Suggestions from a Controlled Pragmatic Trial
Publication: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
Volume 18, Issue Number 1
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of a 3 week mindfulness inspired protocol, delivered by an Android application for smartphones, in reducing stress in the adult population. By using a controlled pragmatic trial, a self-help intervention group of meditators was compared with a typical control group listening to relaxing music and a waiting list group. The final sample included 56 Italian workers as participants, block randomized to the three conditions. The self-reported level of perceived stress was assessed at the beginning and at the end of the protocol. Participants were also instructed to track their heart rate before and after each session. The results did not show any significant differences between groups, but both self-help intervention groups demonstrated an improvement in coping with stress. Nevertheless, meditators and music listeners reported a significant decrease in average heartbeats per minute after each session. Furthermore, both groups perceived a moderate but significant change in stress reduction perceptions, even if with some peculiarities. Limitations and opportunities related to the meditation protocol supported by the mobile application to reduce stress are discussed.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
Volume 18 • Issue Number 1 • January 2015
Pages: 46 - 53
PubMed: 25584730
Copyright
Copyright 2015, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
History
Published online: 13 January 2015
Published in print: January 2015
Topics
- Cyberpsychology and social networking
- Depressive disorder
- Digital media and internet addiction
- e-health and telehealth care
- Ecopsychology
- Ecospirituality
- Environmental Science and Research
- Healthcare resources
- Medicine, Surgery & Diagnosis
- Mental disorders
- Mindfulness
- Mobile addiction
- Nature based spirituality
- Nervous system diseases
- Public health care
- Public Health Research and Practice
- Telehealth via mobile phone
Authors
Author Disclosure Statement
No competing financial interests exist.
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