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An evaluation of a low intensity mHealth enhanced mindfulness intervention for Chinese university students: A randomized controlled trial.

Brian J Hall, Peng Xiong, Xinqi Guo, Elvo Kuai Long Sou, Un I Chou, Zhuozhuo Shen

Psychiatry Research October 2, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.09.060 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 101
Population Chinese university students (mean age 22.30 ± 2.63, 69.31% female)
Interventions plain-text reminder enhanced text reminder with animal meme
Duration 7 weeks of weekly self-guided practice; outcomes assessed at week 4 and week 7
Measures Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Topics Anxiety Depression Meditation
Keywords Humans Single-blind method Stress, psychological Mental health Sleep Telemedicine Students Universities Female Young adult Asian people Mhealth
Key findings Compared with controls, mindfulness-program completers showed significantly reduced depression (Cohen's d=0.83), anxiety (d=0.84), and stress (d=0.75), and improved subjective sleep quality (d=2.00), sleep latency (d=0.55), and habitual sleep efficiency (d=0.86) at week 4, with effects maintained at week 7. The authors suggest low-intensity mindfulness interventions might be useful in university settings.

Abstract

Mental disorders and sleep dysfunction are common among Chinese university students. This study aimed to evaluate a low cost scalable mindfulness intervention program to improve psychological health and sleep quality among Chinese university students. A randomized controlled trial with 101 university students (mean age 22.30 ± 2.63, 69.31% female) was conducted. Participants were randomized into 4 groups: Group 1: control group (n = 25), Group 2: mindfulness only group (n = 27), Group 3: mindfulness + plain-text reminder group (n = 24), and Group 4: mindfulness + enhanced text reminder with animal meme group (n = 25).The mindfulness intervention consisted of two in-person guided sessions along with weekly self-guided practice for 7 weeks. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to measure depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep dysfunction. After the intervention at week 4, compared to controls, completers in group 2, 3 and 4 (n = 42) showed significantly reduced depression (Cohen's d = 0.83), anxiety (Cohen's d = 0.84), and stress (Cohen's d = 0.75), and improved subjective sleep quality (Cohen's d = 2.00), sleep latency (Cohen's d = 0.55), and habitual sleep efficiency (Cohen's d = 0.86). The effect was maintained at week 7. Low-intensity mindfulness interventions might be a useful intervention program in university settings.

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

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Anxiety Depression Meditation