The Gamification of Meditation: A Randomized-Controlled Study of a Prescribed Mobile Mindfulness Meditation Application in Reducing College Students’ Depression
Simulation & Gaming June 4, 2019 Matthew T. Fish, Amelia D. Saul
About 35% of college students report depression as a significant concern, which can lead to quitting school and comorbid conditions. A prescribed mindfulness meditation regimen incorporating gamification principles reduced depression symptoms compared to a control group. Seventy-two college students were randomly assigned to an experimental group (33 participants) or a control group (39 participants). The experimental group completed ten 10-minute mobile mindfulness meditation sessions over 14 days; the control group continued as usual. Depression severity, measured by the PHQ-9, significantly decreased in the experimental group relative to controls. Gamified mindfulness meditation applications offer a fun, inexpensive, and non-stigmatizing intervention for college students.