Mindfulness-based mobile app reduces anxiety and increases self-compassion in healthcare students: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

To compare the effect of a mindfulness-based mobile application versus an in-person mindfulness-based training program in terms of reducing anxiety and increasing empathy, self-compassion, and mindfulness in a population of healthcare students.

Methods

The authors conducted a single-blind, randomised controlled trial with three parallel groups. Participants were allocated to the mobile app, the in-person mindfulness-based program (IMBP), or a control group. Assessments at baseline and postintervention (8 weeks) included measures of anxiety, empathy, self-compassion, and mindfulness.

Results

Of 168 students randomised, 84 were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis (app: n = 31; IMBP: n = 23; control: n = 30). The mobile app group showed a large effect size for reductions in trait anxiety compared with controls (g = 0.85, p = 0.003), and a medium, nonsignificant effect compared with the IMBP group (g = 0.52, p = 0.152). Participants from both interventions experienced a significant increase in self-compassion and mindfulness compared with controls. Levels of empathy remained unchanged for the 3 arms.

Conclusions

A mobile app can be as effective as an IMBP in reducing anxiety and increasing self-compassion and mindfulness among healthcare students.

Keywords:

• Behavioural sciences
• communication skills
• ethics/attitudes
• student support

Authors’ contributions

Both CB and BRV designed, elaborated, and coordinated the research project. AOD, VL, and JG collected data. AOD co-wrote the drafts with CB, BRV, and RM. RM analyzed the data. MFBO participated in the initial steps setting up the online assessment platform. AM and AP delivered the in-person program. All the authors have contributed to the drafts and given final approval to the paper.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Sara Arribas, Álvaro Revuelta, Adrián Paredes, and Maria Boufounas for their contribution to the collection of the data, as well as the User Service Centre of the Autonomous University of Madrid for helping to design the online assessment platform. They also wish to thank the participants for their dedication to the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Ethical approval

The Research Ethics Committee of La Paz University Hospital approved the trial (identifier 3053) and the protocol is available in www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier NCT03712319). All participants signed an informed consent and the ethical considerations from the Declaration of Helsinki (1964) were followed.

Glossary

Self-compassion: Being kind rather than harshly critical toward oneself, perceiving one’s experiences as part of the larger human experience, and holding painful feelings in mindful awareness.

Neff K. 2003. Self-compassion: an alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self Identity. 2(2):85–101.

Notes

1 ω² = (df(F-1))/(df(F-1) + N)

Additional information

Funding

This study was priced as a Teaching Innovation Project and an "IMPLANTA" Project of the Autonomous University of Madrid and was granted with a research assistant during the first year of the study.

Notes on contributors

Álvaro Orosa-Duarte

Álvaro Orosa-Duarte, MD, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain.

Roberto Mediavilla

Roberto Mediavilla, PhD, Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, La Paz University Hospital Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain. National University of Distance Education (UNED), Madrid, Spain.

Ainoa Muñoz-Sanjose

Ainoa Muñoz-Sanjose, MD, PhD, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, La Paz University Hospital Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.

Ángela Palao

Ángela Palao, MD, PhD, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain. Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, La Paz University Hospital Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.

Joaquín Garde

Joaquín Garde, MD, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain.

Vera López-Herrero

Vera López-Herrero, MD, Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain.

María-Fe Bravo-Ortiz

María-Fe Bravo-Ortiz, MD, PhD, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain. Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, La Paz University Hospital Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.

Carmen Bayón

Carmen Bayón, MD, PhD, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain. Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, La Paz University Hospital Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.

Beatriz Rodríguez-Vega

Beatriz Rodríguez-Vega, MD, PhD, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain. Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, La Paz University Hospital Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.