Clinical benefits of self-guided mindfulness coach mobile app use for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot randomized control trial.
Joseph Wielgosz, Robyn D. Walser, Eric Kuhn, Andrew Chang, Erin O Bantum, Ian Pagano, Beth K Jaworski, Katherine Taylor, Kelly M Ramsey, Jason E. Owen
Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1037/tra0001736 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 173 |
| Population | U.S. veterans with PTSD |
| Intervention | Mindfulness Coach mobile app |
| Duration | 8-week follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Service members' well-being Veteran support Veteran care Veteran wellness Veterans' psychological health Veterans' emotional health E-mindfulness for veterans Telehealth for veterans |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | Self-guided use of the Mindfulness Coach app produced medium reductions in PTSD symptoms and depression among veterans with PTSD, with higher-intensity users showing greater benefits, but no change in psychosocial functioning. |
Abstract
Mindfulness training can relieve posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in military veterans and others but is inconsistently accessible. Self-guided mobile apps could improve access but their acceptability, feasibility, and benefits for veterans with PTSD have not been established. We conducted a pilot randomized trial of Mindfulness Coach (MC), a free, publicly available, trauma-informed mobile app tailored to veterans. U.S. veterans with PTSD (n = 173) were randomized to self-guided use of MC or waitlist control (WLC) with 8-week follow-up. Clinical outcomes were PTSD symptoms (PTSD Symptom Checklist-5), depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire, nine item), and psychosocial functioning (Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning). Primary analyses were intent-to-treat using linear mixed models with maximum likelihood estimation. App uptake, objective usage, and usability ratings measured acceptance and feasibility. Participants varied in age, gender, and ethnoracial identity; most reported recent mental health care utilization. Although study attrition was high (68.4% overall) due to participant dropout (treatment: 43.0%; control: 43.7%) and technical study issues (23% overall), diagnostic tests showed no evidence of bias due to missingness. Study completers (MC: n = 19; WLC: n = 37) showed medium effects on PTSD symptoms (b = -9.31, d = -0.69) and depression (b = -3.10, d = -0.52). Higher-intensity users showed greater benefits. App engagement trended lower for women and minoritized subpopulations. No changes were observed in psychosocial functioning. Usability and helpfulness ratings were favorable. Transdiagnostic clinical benefits indicate promise for MC as a public health resource for veterans with PTSD. Further study is warranted to confirm these benefits and ensure consistent engagement across subpopulations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Effects of Short Video App Guided Mindfulness Meditation on Policemen's Communication Anxiety, PTSD, Anger Management, and Mood Disorders. Healthcare May 21, 2025
- Prospective Acceptability and Implementation Considerations of a Proposed Brief Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Intervention Among Military Personnel Behavioral Sciences October 5, 2026
- Mindfulness Processes and User Experiences in a Randomized Controlled Trial of the Mindfulness Coach App for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Mindfulness July 11, 2026
- The Impact of Trauma-Informed Meditation on Posttraumatic Growth: A Randomized Controlled Trial Research Square June 1, 2026