A digital mindfulness application for African American caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS: feasibility trial findings.
K Alexander, S B Carswell, R Woolworth, A Simpson, J Gryczynski
AIDS Care September 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2026.2731765 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Sequential mixed-methods feasibility study (qualitative interviews followed by a 4-week single-group feasibility trial) Randomized Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | African American informal caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS, recruited nationally online |
| Intervention | Enhanced digital mindfulness app |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Measures | System Usability Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Hiv/aids Informal caregivers Mindfulness-based intervention Digital health intervention African american caregivers Sdg 3 Sdg 10 |
| Key findings | The enhanced digital mindfulness app was feasible and acceptable for African American caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS: all 30 enrolled participants completed the 4-week trial and both assessments, more than half used the app 6-7 days per week (versus 1.8 days in a pilot), 83.3% scored in the acceptable range on the System Usability Scale, and all would recommend it. Baseline anxiety and depression risk were high, and the authors conclude findings support a future randomized controlled trial. |
Abstract
As people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) live longer, they increasingly rely on informal caregivers. African American caregivers of PLWHA may face elevated risk for stress-related health problems from caregiving demands, HIV-related stigma, racial discrimination, and limited access to culturally responsive services. Mindfulness-based interventions can reduce caregiver stress, but in-person delivery may not be feasible. This study evaluated the feasibility of an enhanced digital mindfulness app for these caregivers, addressing recruitment, engagement, retention, and acceptability. A sequential mixed-methods design included qualitative interviews (n = 15) to guide enhancements, followed by a 4-week single-group feasibility trial (n = 30) with national online recruitment; participants received Android phones and data plans. Of 140 individuals screened, 30 enrolled and all completed the trial and both assessments. More than half used the app 6-7 days per week, compared with 1.8 days in the pilot trial. Usability and satisfaction were high: 83.3% scored in the acceptable range on the System Usability Scale, and all would recommend the app. Baseline anxiety and depression risk were high, though stigma and discrimination were not. Psychosocial measures were examined descriptively only, as the trial was not powered to detect change. Findings support a future randomized controlled trial.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program for Caregivers of Children with Chronic Conditions Social Work in Health Care May 24, 2006
- Using a Randomized Clinical Trial to Test the Efficacy of a Culturally Responsive Mobile Health Application in African Americans. Behavior Therapy July 1, 2024
- Digital mindfulness- and acceptance-based stress reduction intervention for individuals looking online for help: protocol for the CRISP randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open December 3, 2025
- The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on anxiety and sleep quality in informal family caregivers of cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Nursing November 6, 2025
- Promoting Mindfulness in African American Communities. Mindfulness August 21, 2020
and 4 more in the library