The aim of this study is to assess the usability of two mindfulness smartphone applications (apps) and to evaluate whether text message support can promote engagement with those apps through a 4-week trial comparing support vs. no support.
Part one of this study is to conduct usability testing to understand more about the acceptability and usability of these existing mindfulness apps in a population with depression and anxiety. The goal of usability testing is to identify any usability problems, provide information for future app development, and determine the participant's satisfaction with the apps. Participants will then be randomized to receive either engagement support or no support which will be delivered via text messaging, and will be randomized to use one of the two mindfulness applications for the 4 week period. Specific Aim 2.1 is to evaluate any differences on outcome measures between the two mindfulness apps. Specific Aim 2.2 is to evaluate the differences of outcome measures between text message engagement support versus no support, regardless of the mindfulness app. For Aim 2.1, the investigators predict that all mindfulness apps will be capable of leading to improvements on outcome measures. For Aim 2.2, the investigators predict that the text message engagement support arm will engage more with the mindfulness app and will see greater improvements in outcome measures regardless of the mindfulness app.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
Participants randomized to this arm will receive 1-month full access to the Headspace meditation app. They will be asked to listen to at least one meditation a day over the four week study period. Mindfulness is the ability to intentionally and nonjudgementally observe thoughts, bodily sensations, or feelings in the present moment. The apps include guided mindfulness meditations targeting several different areas, such as stress, anxiety, compassion, and sleep.
Participants randomized to this arm will receive 1-month full access to the Stop, Breathe, \& Think meditation app. They will be asked to listen to at least one meditation a day over the four week study period. Mindfulness is the ability to intentionally and nonjudgementally observe thoughts, bodily sensations, or feelings in the present moment. The apps include guided mindfulness meditations targeting several different areas, such as stress, anxiety, compassion, and sleep.
Northwester University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Change in Depression and Anxiety at Week 2 and Week 4
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 is a 9-item self-report measure of depression. Scores on this measure range from 0 (Not At All) to 3 (Nearly Every Day).
Time frame: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Change in Anxiety at Week 2 and Week 4
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). The GAD-7 is a 7-item self-report measure of anxiety. Scores on this measure range from 0 (Not At All) to 3 (Nearly Every Day).
Time frame: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
App Usage
App usage will be defined as how many minutes the participant meditated and how many meditations they listened to.
Time frame: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4
App Satisfaction
App satisfaction evaluates the participants satisfaction with the app on a scale ranging from 1 (Not At All) to 5 (Extremely).
Time frame: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4
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