The Use of Mindfulness Meditation Apps Improves Mental Health Among Graduate Students
Mindfulness October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-025-02652-2 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractGraduate students in STEM programs who used a meditation app for about 10 minutes per day over 8 weeks reported substantially lower depression, anxiety, and physical symptom scores compared to peers who continued their usual routines. Depression scores dropped by 35% and anxiety scores by 41% relative to the control group; the control group showed no change. The app users completed meditation sessions on roughly 82% of days. The findings suggest that a simple daily meditation practice can improve mental health in this population.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Graduate students in STEM programs at the University of Florida |
| Dose | about 10 min of meditation per day |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Key finding | Using a meditation app for about 10 minutes per day for 8 weeks led to significantly lower depression, anxiety, and physical symptom scores among graduate students compared to a control group. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives This study sought to determine whether mindfulness meditation training via a simple meditation app can improve well-being among graduate students. Method Graduate students were recruited from STEM programs at the University of Florida. Participants were randomly assigned into treatment and control groups. The control group continued with their typical routines during the academic semester. The treatment group received free access to the Ten Percent Happier app and was asked to meditate once per day for 8 weeks. Both groups completed pre-, mid-, and post-intervention surveys that included the Center for Epidemiological Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7). Results The treatment group averaged about 10 min of meditation per day, and the average participant completed sessions on approximately 82% of the days during the intervention. At the end of the 8-week intervention, the treatment group reported CES-D and GAD-7 scores that were 35.04% and 41.39% lower than the control group, and their physical symptom score was 36.19% lower. Relative to their own starting scores, CES-D, GAD-7, and physical symptom scores decreased 35.05%, 50.44%, and 42.51% respectively for the treatment group, while the control group experienced no change in scores. Conclusions Using a meditation app for about 10 min per day may improve mental health measures among graduate students. Preregistration This study was not preregistered.