The efficacy of mindfulness apps on symptoms of depression and anxiety: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Jake Linardon, Mariel Messer, Simon B. Goldberg, Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz
Clinical Psychology Review February 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102370 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Mindfulness apps |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Randomized controlled trial Smartphone apps Meta-analysis |
| Citations | 61 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness apps produced small, significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms compared to control conditions, but not compared to active therapeutic interventions. |
Abstract
Mindfulness apps have become popular tools for addressing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Since the publication of earlier meta-analyses evaluating the efficacy of mindfulness apps for depression and anxiety symptoms, over 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted. There is a need for an updated meta-analysis that quantifies the effects of mindfulness apps on these symptoms and tests for potential moderators.. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted on 45 RCTs. Small, significant effect sizes were found for symptoms of depression (Ncomp = 46, N = 5852, g = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.17, 0.31, NNT = 13.57) and anxiety (Ncomp = 48, N = 6082, g = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.35, NNT = 11.47) in favour of mindfulness apps over control groups. This effect was not explained by symptom deterioration in participants allocated to control groups. Effects remained stable when restricting analyses to lower risk of bias and larger sample trials. No significant moderators were observed, except trials that offered monetary compensation produced larger effects on depression. Non-significant effects were observed when comparing mindfulness apps to active therapeutic comparisons (g = -0.15 depression, g = 0.10 anxiety), though the number of studies was low. Growing evidence indicates that mindfulness apps can acutely reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, although higher quality studies with longer follow-ups are needed.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 29
- Is dosage of a meditation app associated with changes in psychological distress? It depends on how you ask. Clinical Psychological Science March 1, 2025
- The meditation app revolution. American Psychologist August 7, 2025
- Feasibility and effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for improving resilience, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and posttraumatic growth among military medical college students. Acta Psychologica November 1, 2024
- Consumer-Grade Neurofeedback With Mindfulness Meditation: Meta-Analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research April 17, 2025
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depressive Disorders: Enhancing Access and Tailoring Interventions in Diverse Settings. Advances in experimental medicine and biology 2024
and 24 more in the library
Cites 24
- What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft Psychological Medicine December 29, 2016
- The Empirical Status of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of 44 Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials Perspectives on Psychological Science February 16, 2021
- Mindfulness on-the-go: Effects of a mindfulness meditation app on work stress and well-being. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology May 3, 2018
- A mindfulness-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention among psychologically distressed university students in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Counseling Psychology July 15, 2021
- Testing the Efficacy of a Multicomponent, Self-Guided, Smartphone-Based Meditation App: Three-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR Mental Health November 27, 2020
and 19 more in the library