A randomized trial on differential changes in thought and affect after mindfulness versus dyadic practice indicates phenomenological fingerprints of app-based interventions
Scientific Reports August 24, 2023 Paul Petzold, Sarita Silveira, Malvika Godara et al.
Two daily app-based practices—a 12-minute partner-based socio-emotional exercise (Affect Dyad) and a 12-minute solitary mindfulness practice—were compared over 10 weeks in 212 adults aged 18–65. Both practices increased positive affect and arousal. The mindfulness practice reduced active thoughts, especially those about the future, others, and negative topics. The Dyad, in contrast, increased thoughts about others and positive thoughts, which may help counter ruminative thinking patterns tied to self-focused and negative content. These differential effects could guide the adaptation of scalable app-based mental training for different populations.