Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Apps in Mitigating Psychological Distress Among Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Mindfulness June 19, 2026 Jou-Ting Lin, Jia-Yin Syu, Esther Ching‐Lan Lin
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials (13 in the meta-analysis) found that mindfulness-based apps produce small to moderate reductions in depression, anxiety, and perceived stress among youth without diagnosed mental disorders. Pooled effects showed reductions in depression (SMD = −0.26), anxiety (SMD = −0.19), and perceived stress (SMD = −0.36), with sustained effects for depression and anxiety over short- to mid-term follow-ups. Larger effects for depression and stress were associated with unstructured app formats and passive control conditions; apps with feedback features showed larger effects on depression than those without. The authors suggest such apps may serve as low-barrier early interventions for common psychological symptoms in vulnerable youth.