Stand-Alone Mobile Mindfulness App for People Experiencing Infertility: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (MoMiFer-RCT).
Tessy Boedt, Nele Willaert, Sharon Lie Fong, Eline Dancet, Filip Raes, Katleen van der Gucht
Psychologica Belgica October 6, 2025 DOI: 10.5334/pb.1375 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 72 |
| Population | People experiencing infertility and undergoing fertility treatment |
| Duration | 3 months post-randomization, with outcomes at baseline, 1.5 months, and 3 months |
| Measures | DASS-21, FertiQoL, PTQ, SCS-SF, CHIME-SF, experience sampling method (ESM), app-tracking |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Infertility Quality of life Emotional distress Mobile mindfulness app |
| Key findings | The MoMiFer-app did not significantly improve emotional distress or fertility-related quality of life, the primary outcomes. It did significantly increase self-compassion at 3 months and mindfulness skills at 1.5 and 3 months, while repetitive negative thinking was unchanged. The authors suggest low app usage (47% practiced once a week or less) and the COVID-19 pandemic timing may have influenced results. |
Abstract
Objectives: Infertility and its treatments result in considerable emotional burden. This study aimed to examine the impact of a stand-alone mobile mindfulness application (MoMiFer-app).
Methods: A pilot RCT was conducted with participants randomized into an intervention group (n = 34) using the MoMiFer-app, and a wait-list control group (n=38). Outcomes were collected at baseline, 1.5 months, and 3 months post-randomization using experience sampling method (ESM) and self-report questionnaires. Primary outcomes included symptoms of emotional distress (DASS-21+ESM) and fertility-related quality of life (FertiQoL). Secondary outcomes assessed repetitive negative thinking (PTQ), self-compassion (SCS-SF), and mindfulness skills (CHIME-SF+ESM). App usage was evaluated through app-tracking.
Results: Multilevel analysis showed no significant improvement in primary outcomes. However, the MoMiFer-app significantly enhanced self-compassion and mindfulness skills, as assessed by self-report questionnaires. A significant condition×time effect was observed for mindfulness skills at 1.5 months (T1; p = .02) and 3 months (T2; p = .02), and for self-compassion at 3 months (T2; p = .006). No effect was observed on repetitive negative thinking. The app was rated as good quality, but nearly half of the participants (47%) practiced mindfulness with the app once a week or less.
Conclusions: Online mindfulness-based interventions can be valuable in fertility care providing easily accessible low-intensive mental support, even if they do not directly improve emotional distress or quality of life in the short term. The trial's timing during the COVID-19 pandemic and low app usage may have influenced outcomes. Further research on potential stressors and ways to increase user adherence is needed to better understand the app's impact.
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 5
- What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft Psychological Medicine December 29, 2016
- Home practice in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of participants' mindfulness practice and its association with outcomes Behaviour Research and Therapy May 10, 2017
- Effects of preventive online mindfulness interventions on stress and mindfulness: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Preventive Medicine Reports March 9, 2017
- Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental health: A review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review April 1, 2016
- Relationships between mindfulness practice and levels of mindfulness, medical and psychological symptoms and well-being in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. Journal of Behavioral Medicine February 2008