Efficacy of a Mindfulness-Based Mobile Application: a Randomized Waiting-List Controlled Trial.
Arnold A P Van Emmerik, Fieke Berings, Jaap Lancee
Mindfulness June 21, 2017 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-017-0761-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized waiting-list controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 377 |
| Population | Adults using a mindfulness smartphone app, compared with a waiting-list control group |
| Duration | 8-week intervention with 3-month follow-up |
| Measures | Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, GHQ-12, WHOQOL-BREF |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Quality of life Intervention E-health M-health |
| Key findings | The VGZ Mindfulness Coach app produced large increases in mindfulness (Cohen's d = 0.77) and large decreases in general psychiatric symptoms (d = -0.68) after 8 weeks, plus moderate improvements in psychological, social, and environmental quality of life. Except for social quality of life, these gains were maintained for at least 3 months. The authors conclude that low-cost mindfulness apps can achieve durable positive effects. |
Abstract
Although several hundreds of apps are available that (cl)aim to promote mindfulness, only a few methodologically sound studies have evaluated the efficacy of these apps. This randomized waiting-list controlled trial therefore tested the hypothesis that one such app (the VGZ Mindfulness Coach) can achieve immediate and long-term improvements of mindfulness, quality of life, general psychiatric symptoms, and self-actualization. One hundred ninety-one experimental participants received the VGZ Mindfulness Coach, which offers 40 mindfulness exercises and background information about mindfulness without any form of therapeutic guidance. Compared to 186 control participants, they reported large (Cohen's d = 0.77) and statistically significant increases of mindfulness after 8 weeks and small-to-medium increases of the Observing, Describing, Acting with awareness, Nonjudging, and Nonreactivity mindfulness facets as measured with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (Cohen's d = 0.66, 0.26, 0.49, 0.34, and 0.43, respectively). Also, there were large decreases of general psychiatric symptoms (GHQ-12; Cohen's d = -0.68) and moderate increases of psychological, social, and environmental quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF; Cohen's d = 0.38, 0.38, and 0.36, respectively). Except for social quality of life, these gains were maintained for at least 3 months. We conclude that it is possible to achieve durable positive effects on mindfulness, general psychiatric symptoms, and several aspects of quality of life at low costs with smartphone apps for mindfulness such as the VGZ Mindfulness Coach.
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
Cited by 23
- Smartphone Mindfulness Intervention Reduces Anxiety Symptoms and Perceived Stress in Autistic Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial Mindfulness April 8, 2025
- Feasibility and Efficacy of a Novel Mindfulness App Used With Matcha Green Tea in Generally Healthy Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth December 10, 2024
- Older Adults' Motivators and Barriers to Using Mindfulness Apps for Stress Management in Brain Health Interventions: Interview Study. JMIR Formative Research May 22, 2026
- Integrating psychological support into gestational diabetes self-management: Development of a user-centred digital mindfulness programme. Women's Health 2026
- Mindfulness Intervention for Navigating and Decreasing Stress (MINDS-V): Effectiveness of a Tailored Trauma-Informed Mental Health Intervention for Australian Veterans. Military Medicine 2026
and 18 more in the library
Cites 12
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- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
and 7 more in the library