Effects of an 8-Week App-Based Mindfulness Intervention on Mental Health in Working Women: Randomized Controlled Trial.
Riko Uwagawa, Koichiro Adachi, Mariko Shimoda, Ryu Takizawa
Journal of Medical Internet Research February 2, 2026 DOI: 10.2196/62814 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 213 |
| Population | Working women recruited via crowdsourcing sites and social networking services |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based self-help intervention via a smartphone app |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Applications Health promotion Interventions Mhealth Mental health Mobile apps Mobile phone Randomized controlled trial Subjective well-being Women’s health Work-related stress |
| Key findings | An 8-week mindfulness-based smartphone app intervention increased life satisfaction and decreased perceived stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and trait anger among working women, but did not improve work- or family-related indicators. |
Abstract
Although working women experience increased work-related stress, preventive interventions to reduce its negative effects on their mental health are insufficient. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulness-based self-help intervention via a smartphone app across 4 domains (general psychological, work-related, family-related, and work-to-conflict) among working women. This study recruited women workers via various media sources, such as crowdsourcing sites and social networking services. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=106) or waitlist control groups (n=107). Participants in the intervention group practiced guided mindfulness meditation every day at their convenience via an app on their cell phones for 8 weeks. The app provides an 8-week program with 4 meditation contents per 2 weeks. Participants in the waitlist control group lived as usual for 8 weeks. We conducted web-based questionnaires to assess participants' general psychological (life satisfaction, perceived stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms, trait anger, and mindfulness), work-related (work performance, job satisfaction, quantitative job overload, and job control), family-related (family satisfaction and partner satisfaction), and work-to-family conflict indicators. An analysis of covariance, controlled for preintervention scores, revealed that the intervention significantly increased life satisfaction (b=1.47, β=0.11; P=.005) and decreased perceived stress (b=-2.00, β=-0.17; P=.01), depressive and anxiety symptoms (b=-1.24, β=-0.15; P=.02), and trait anger (reaction; b=-0.59, β=-0.11; P=.04). The intervention group demonstrated significantly increased life satisfaction (t93=-3.36; P=.001) and decreased depressive and anxiety symptoms (t93=2.35; P=.02). The app was effective in reducing perceived stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and trait anger (reaction), and in improving life satisfaction among working women. However, to improve work- and family-related indicators, higher-intensity interventions may be required, such as modifying the intervention content or extending its duration. University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) UMIN000051796; https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000059110.
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
Cites 9
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences December 21, 2018
- Mindfulness training improves employee well-being: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology October 18, 2018
- Positive intervention effect of mobile health application based on mindfulness and social support theory on postpartum depression symptoms of puerperae BMC Women's Health October 10, 2022
- The Integration of Meditation and Positive Psychology Practices to Relieve Stress in Women Workers (Flourish): Effects in Two Pilot Studies. Behavioral Sciences March 26, 2021
and 4 more in the library