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A mindfulness-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention among psychologically distressed university students in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial.

Journal of counseling psychology
March 1, 2022
Shufang Sun et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a mindfulness-based mHealth intervention compared to a social support-based mHealth control in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms among young adults during quarantine.

Results Summary

The mindfulness mHealth intervention showed superior effects on anxiety compared to the social support control, with a significant between-group difference (d = 0.72). Both interventions improved depression, though the between-group difference was not significant. Mindfulness was also more feasible and acceptable in terms of engagement, skills improvement, and perceived benefit.

Population

Young adult students in China with elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms during quarantine (N = 114).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

1 month (postintervention assessment), with a 2-month follow-up.

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention
decrease
anxiety
young adult students with elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms during quarantine in China
p = .024, between-group d = 0.72
had a superior effect
#1
mindfulness-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention
decrease
depression
young adult students with elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms during quarantine in China
baseline-to-FU ds > 1.10
improved
#2
social support-based mHealth control
decrease
depression
young adult students with elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms during quarantine in China
baseline-to-FU ds > 1.10
improved
#3
mindfulness-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention
increase
program engagement, evaluation, skills improvement, and perceived benefit
young adult students with elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms during quarantine in China
-
was demonstrated to be more feasible and acceptable
#4
mindfulness-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention
no change
adverse effect
young adult students with elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms during quarantine in China
3.9% in mindfulness and 8.7% in social support
difference in self-reported adverse effect was nonsignificant
#5
mindfulness-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention
decrease
distress
young adults in quarantine
-
show promise in reducing distress
#6
social support-based mHealth control
decrease
distress
young adults in quarantine
-
show promise in reducing distress
#7
Abstract

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of a mindfulness-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention, tailored to the pandemic context, among young adult students (N = 114) with elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms during quarantine in China, compared to a time- and attention-matched social support-based mHealth control. At baseline, postintervention (1 month), and 2-month follow-up, participants completed self-reports of primary outcomes (anxiety and depression), secondary outcomes (mindfulness and social support), and emotional suppression as a culturally relevant mechanism of change. Feasibility and acceptability were also evaluated. Using intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis, linear mixed effects models showed that compared to social support mHealth, mindfulness mHealth had a superior effect on anxiety (p = .024, between-group d = 0.72). Both conditions improved on depression (baseline-to-FU ds > 1.10, between-group difference not significant, d = 0.36 favoring mindfulness). There was an interaction of Emotional suppression reduction × Condition in the improvement of anxiety and depression. Further, mindfulness mHealth was demonstrated to be more feasible and acceptable in program engagement, evaluation, skills improvement, and perceived benefit. Retention was high in both conditions (>80%). The difference in self-reported adverse effect was nonsignificant (3.9% in mindfulness and 8.7% in social support). Results of this pilot trial suggest that both mindfulness and social support, delivered via mHealth, show promise in reducing distress among young adults in quarantine, with mindfulness being particularly effective in addressing anxiety. Successful implementation and dissemination of this mHealth intervention approach have the potential for addressing the psychological consequences of the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
COVID-19DepressionHumansMindfulnessPandemicsQuarantineStudentsTelemedicineUniversitiesYoung Adult
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy80/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations76
Citations/Year25.3
Relative Citation Ratio14.86
NIH Percentile98.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score3.29
Normalized Score0.84
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