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

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.

The effect of anxiety on thriving levels of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…University students should be psychologically supported to protect themselves from the negative effects of anxiety during the pandemic. Universities can help their students by offering a variety of stress-reduction programs, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction programs that can also be performed online ( Sun et al, 2021 ). Psychologist support will also be beneficial for the students who are at risk of having high levels of anxiety.…”

A Digital Human for Delivering a Remote Loneliness and Stress Intervention to At-Risk Younger and Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Randomized Pilot Trial

“…This study proposes that DHs may be an additional technology to aid in health care during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing remote psychological support to people at risk of developing more severe illness. Indeed, other studies have found that digital psychological interventions have been effective during the pandemic (eg, mHealth apps) [ 63 , 64 ].…”

College Students’ Opinions About Coping Strategies for Mental Health Problems, Suicide Ideation, and Self-Harm During COVID-19

“…A pilot trial suggested that both mindfulness and social support delivered via mobile Health, showed promise in reducing distress among 114 young college adults in quarantine in China, with mindfulness being particularly effective in addressing anxiety (Sun et al, 2022). Last, in 99 college students ranging in age from 18 to 29 years, emotional intelligence and mindfulness training using the Ajivar app during COVID-19 resulted in improvements in anxiety, depression, and emotional intelligence (Sturgill et al, 2021).…”