Effectiveness of a digital mindfulness intervention on reducing rumination among Indian college students: A randomized controlled trial
Arjun Sahay, Bhupinder Singh
International Journal of Psychology Sciences February 1, 2026 DOI: 10.33545/26648377.2026.v8.i2a.141 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Indian college students |
| Intervention | Audio-guided mindfulness program delivered via WhatsApp or email |
| Duration | Four-week intervention |
| Measures | Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), including brooding and reflective pondering subscales |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A four-week audio-guided mindfulness program delivered via WhatsApp or email produced a significantly greater reduction in overall rumination (mean decrease 7.1 points) than a control condition (mean decrease 0.8 points) among Indian college students. |
Abstract
Objective: This study examined whether a brief online mindfulness program could reduce negative rumination among Indian college students.
Methods: A randomized controlled pre–post design was used with 50 participants (25 intervention, 25 control). The intervention group completed a four-week audio-guided mindfulness program delivered via WhatsApp or email. Rumination was measured using the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), including the brooding and reflective pondering subscales.
Results: The intervention group showed a significantly greater reduction in overall rumination (mean decrease = 7.1) compared to the control group (mean decrease = 0.8), p
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 |