Mindful Self-Compassion Smartphone Intervention for Worker Mental Health in Japan: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Takumu Kurosawa, Koichiro Adachi, Ryu Takizawa
JMIR Research Protocols July 15, 2024 DOI: 10.2196/53541 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Open-label Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 200 |
| Population | Japanese workers aged 18-54, employed more than 20 hours per week, not on leave, not business owners or students, without current mental disorder diagnosis |
| Interventions | Mindfulness meditation Self-compassion meditation |
| Dose | 6-12 minutes per day over 4 weeks |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mental health Mindfulness meditation Mobile phone Preventive intervention Psychological support Self-compassion Smartphone apps Smartphone intervention Work performance Work-related outcomes Workers |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | The protocol describes a planned trial to determine whether brief smartphone-delivered mindfulness or self-compassion meditation improves mental health and work-related outcomes among workers. |
Abstract
Mental health problems among workers cause enormous losses to companies in Japan. However, workers have been considered to have limited access to psychological support because of time constraints, which makes it difficult for them to engage in face-to-face psychological support interventions. This study aimed to present an intervention protocol that describes a randomized controlled trial to examine whether brief guided mindfulness meditation (MM) or self-compassion meditation (SCM) provided by a smartphone app is effective for mental health and work-related outcomes among workers. This is an open-label, 3-arm randomized controlled trial. The participants will be recruited through an open call on relevant websites with the following inclusion criteria: (1) employees who are working more than 20 hours per week, (2) between the ages of 18 and 54 years, (3) not on a leave of absence, (4) not business owners or students, and (5) not currently diagnosed with a mental disorder and have a Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-6 score below 13 points. We will include 200 participants and randomly assign them to an SCM course (n=67), an MM course (n=67), and a waitlist group (n=66). The intervention groups (SCM and MM) will be instructed to engage in daily guided self-help, self-compassion, and MMs lasting 6-12 minutes per day over 4 weeks. Primary outcomes will include psychological distress and job performance, and secondary outcomes will include somatic symptoms, cognitive flexibility, self-esteem, self-compassion, perceived stress, well-being, emotion regulation, work engagement, anger, psychological safety, and creativity. All procedures were approved by the ethics committee of the University of Tokyo (22-326). All participants will be informed of the study via the websites, and written informed consent will be collected via web-based forms. The recruitment of participants began in December 2022, and the intervention began in January 2023. As of September 2023, a total of 375 participants have been enrolled. The intervention and data collection were completed in late October 2023. This study will contribute to the development of effective self-care intervention content that will improve mental health, work performance, and related outcomes and promote mindful and self-compassionate attitudes when faced with distress. University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000049466; https://tinyurl.com/23x8m8nf. DERR1-10.2196/53541.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Effects of Self-Compassion and Mindfulness Interventions on Mental Health and Work-Related Outcomes Among Japanese Workers: Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Medical Internet Research February 10, 2026
- The Cumulative Effect of a 12-Week Online Mindfulness-Based Meditation Intervention Programme on Autonomic Nerve Functions by Pupillary Light Reflex: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial. Stress and Health August 1, 2025
- Impact of self-guided mindfulness versus self-compassion application on physiological and psychological outcomes in workers: A randomized controlled trial. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being August 2026
- Gender differences in the influence of app-based mindfulness meditation on emotion regulation: a randomised controlled trial. Scientific Reports April 6, 2026
- Gender Differences in the Influence of Mindfulness Meditation on Emotion Regulation: Randomized Controlled Trial with a Smartphone App Intervention
Cites 12
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Contemplating Mindfulness at Work Journal of Management November 19, 2015
- Conceptual and methodological issues in research on mindfulness and meditation. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Mindfulness on-the-go: Effects of a mindfulness meditation app on work stress and well-being. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology May 3, 2018
- Engagement Strategies to Improve Adherence and Retention in Web-Based Mindfulness Programs: Systematic Review Journal of Medical Internet Research August 28, 2023
and 7 more in the library