Burnout, mHealth, Mindfulness, Stress
Conditions
Brief summary
Mindfulness has become increasingly popular and positive outcomes have been reported for mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in reducing stress. The aim of this study is to investigate if a non-guided mindfulness mobile phone application can decrease perceived stress in a non-clinical Dutch population over the course of eight weeks, with follow-up at six months.
Detailed description
Background: Mindfulness has become increasingly popular and positive outcomes have been reported for mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in reducing stress. These findings make room for innovative perspectives on how MBIs could be applied, for instance through mHealth. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate if a non-guided mindfulness mobile phone application can decrease perceived stress in a non-clinical Dutch population over the course of eight weeks, with follow-up at six months. Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed, comparing the experimental group that made use of a structured 8-week mHealth mindfulness program and a control group after 8 weeks, with follow-up after six months. Participants were recruited via a national television program. The primary outcome measure was perceived stress as measured by the Perceived Stress scale (PSS), secondary outcomes were symptoms of burnout (VAS) and psychological symptoms (measured by the four-dimensional symptom questionnaire ; 4DSQ at follow-up). Outcomes were analyzed using a multilevel regression model.
Interventions
OTHERStructured 8-week mHealth mindfulness program
The mindfulness application was developed by Minddistrict The content of the app was developed by professionals in the field of mental healthcare and based on the principles of MBSR and MBCT The app consisted of a structured program, with chapters on psycho-education on mindfulness and the importance of practicing; acting on auto-pilot, conscious attention; non-judgmental attention, awareness; doing versus being-modus; attention for breath and body, conscious response; acceptance; a mindful attitude towards thoughts; applying mindfulness in daily life and staying mindful.
Sponsors
Erasmus Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Intervention model description
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed, comparing the experimental group that made use of a structured 8-week mHealth mindfulness program and a control group after 8 weeks, with follow-up after six months.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
\>18 years
Exclusion criteria
There were no other eligibility criteria
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in perceived stress levels between baseline, end of program and after six months | baseline (before randomization), at the end of the program (eight weeks after randomization) and six months after randomization | Measured with Perceived stress scale (PSS). The 14 item Dutch version was used. All items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale, with higher scores meaning more perceived stress. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in burnout symptoms between baseline, end of program and after six months | baseline (before randomization), at the end of the program (eight weeks after randomization) and six months after randomization | Measured with Visual analogue scale (VAS). Each symptom was rated on a 0-100 scale, with higher scores meaning higher difficulty. |
| Change in Four dimensional symptoms: : Distress (16 items), Depression (6 items), Anxiety (12 items) and Somatization between baseline, end of program and after six months | baseline (before randomization), at the end of the program (eight weeks after randomization) and six months after randomization | Measured with Four dimensional symptom questionnaire (4DSQ). The 4DSQ consists of 50 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale. The 50 items can be grouped into four dimensions: Distress (16 items), Depression (6 items), Anxiety (12 items) and Somatization (16 items). Sum scores are calculated for each dimension. |
Countries
Netherlands
Outcome results
None listed