The efficacy of mindfulness apps on symptoms of depression and anxiety: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Jake Linardon, Mariel Messer, Simon B Goldberg, Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz
Clinical psychology review February 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102370
Summary
Mindfulness apps show promise in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety, with small but significant effect sizes observed. In a meta-analysis of 45 randomized controlled trials involving over 11,000 participants, mindfulness apps led to a reduction in depression symptoms (g = 0.24) and anxiety symptoms (g = 0.28). Notably, effects were stable across higher-quality studies. Interestingly, trials offering monetary compensation yielded larger effects on depression. While these apps demonstrate potential, comparisons with active therapies showed minimal impact, indicating room for improvement in app efficacy.
Abstract
Mindfulness apps have become popular tools for addressing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Since the publication of earlier meta-analyses evaluating the efficacy of mindfulness apps for depression and anxiety symptoms, over 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted. There is a need for an updated meta-analysis that quantifies the effects of mindfulness apps on these symptoms and tests for potential moderators.. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted on 45 RCTs. Small, significant effect sizes were found for symptoms of depression (Ncomp = 46, N = 5852, g = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.17, 0.31, NNT = 13.57) and anxiety (Ncomp = 48, N = 6082, g = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.35, NNT = 11.47) in favour of mindfulness apps over control groups. This effect was not explained by symptom deterioration in participants allocated to control groups. Effects remained stable when restricting analyses to lower risk of bias and larger sample trials. No significant moderators were observed, except trials that offered monetary compensation produced larger effects on depression. Non-significant effects were observed when comparing mindfulness apps to active therapeutic comparisons (g = -0.15 depression, g = 0.10 anxiety), though the number of studies was low. Growing evidence indicates that mindfulness apps can acutely reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, although higher quality studies with longer follow-ups are needed.