The Real-World Impact of App-Based Mindfulness on Headspace Members With Moderate and Severe Perceived Stress: Observational Study.
Christine E Callahan, Justin Kimber, Emily A. Hu, Leah Tanner, Sarah Kunkle
JMIR mHealth and uHealth March 4, 2024 DOI: 10.2196/52968 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 455 |
| Population | Headspace app members with moderate and severe baseline perceived stress |
| Intervention | Headspace |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Pss-10 Application Digital mental health Engagement Observational study Psychological symptom Real word evidence Stress reduction Tools |
| Citations | 18 |
| Key findings | Real-world use of Headspace is associated with decreased perceived stress, and more engagement (weekly active days and sessions) is associated with a greater likelihood of stress reduction. |
Abstract
Perceived stress in the United States has drastically increased since the COVID-19 pandemic and is associated with negative mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety. Digital mental health (DMH) interventions are efficacious tools to address negative mental health outcomes and have helped reduce the severity of psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, compared to waitlist controls. Although DMH tools have been studied in controlled settings, less is known about the real-world evidence of such interventions. This study aimed to (1) characterize patterns in baseline perceived stress and changes in perceived stress among Headspace members with moderate and severe baseline perceived stress and (2) examine associations between engagement with Headspace content and changes in perceived stress (ie, evaluate whether there is a dose-response relationship). We evaluated real-world perceived stress and engagement data at 2 time points among Headspace app members with baseline moderate and severe perceived stress. Perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and engagement using active days and active minutes engaged with Headspace as well as the number of user sessions. Descriptive statistics were computed for all variables. Correlations between baseline and follow-up scores, percent change in PSS-10 scores, days between PSS-10 use, active days, active days per week, active minutes, active minutes per day, sessions, and sessions per week were evaluated. We used t tests to investigate differences in the abovementioned parameters between (1) participants who did and those who did not see improvements in PSS-10 scores (yes vs no improvement) and (2) participants who saw ≥30% improvement versus those who saw a 30% improvement (all P<.001). Real-world use of Headspace is associated with decreased perceived stress. Furthermore, data suggest that more engagement, specifically weekly active days and sessions, is associated with a greater likelihood of stress reduction.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Is dosage of a meditation app associated with changes in psychological distress? It depends on how you ask. Clinical Psychological Science March 1, 2025
- Feasibility and Efficacy of a Novel Mindfulness App Used With Matcha Green Tea in Generally Healthy Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth December 10, 2024
- Barriers and Facilitators to Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Qualitative Inquiry to Inform Intervention Design Mindfulness August 21, 2026
- Mental health outcomes and use of online mental health tools following a public health deployment of the mindfulness meditation app headspace. Frontiers in Digital Health 2026
Cites 7
- Mindfulness online: a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility of a web-based mindfulness course and the impact on stress BMJ Open 2012
- Effect of Mindfulness Breathing Meditation on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial among University Students Healthcare December 22, 2022
- App‐based mindfulness meditation reduces perceived stress and improves self‐regulation in working university students: A randomised controlled trial Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being December 27, 2021
- Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Duration and Type on Well-being: an Online Dose-Ranging Randomized Controlled Trial Mindfulness April 12, 2023
- The efficacy of mindfulness meditation apps in enhancing users' well-being and mental health related outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders October 7, 2020
and 2 more in the library