App-based self-guided mindfulness training for adults with epilepsy: a six-week single-arm feasibility study.
Kairui Li, Hui Song, Chenxiao Zhao, Chunmei Hu, Pan Hu, Qinghua Luo, Zheng Xiao
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B February 3, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2026.110900 via PubMed
Summary
A simplified, app-based mindfulness program for people with epilepsy in mainland China was feasible and well-accepted. Ten adults completed a 6-week self-guided program (15 minutes daily, 6 days per week) via a WeChat mini-program. Completion rates averaged 110.1%, and user feedback was positive. Exploratory assessments suggested improvements in quality of life (median increase of 9.12 points on the QOLIE-31) and reductions in anxiety (median decrease of 5.50 points on the GAD-7). Seizure frequency descriptively decreased by a median of 1.17 seizures per 4 weeks, with half of participants experiencing at least a 50% reduction. These findings support planning a future randomized controlled trial.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Feasibility study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | Adults with epilepsy in mainland China |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Keywords | Comorbidities in epilepsy Mindfulness training Quality of life Seizure frequency |
| Key finding | A brief, app-based mindfulness intervention is feasible and acceptable for people with epilepsy in mainland China, with exploratory improvements in quality of life and anxiety. |
Abstract
This feasibility study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a simplified, app-based mindfulness intervention for people with epilepsy (PWE) in mainland China. Ten adults with epilepsy completed a 6-week, self-guided mindfulness program (15 min/day, 6 days/week) delivered via a WeChat mini-program. Feasibility was measured by program completion rates and an acceptability questionnaire. Exploratory pre-post assessments included quality of life (QOLIE-31), anxiety (GAD-7), depression (NDDI-E), trait mindfulness (MAAS), and seizure frequency. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, effect size estimators (Cliff's δ, Hodges-Lehmann), Bayes factors, minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds and descriptive statistics were employed. The intervention demonstrated high feasibility, with a mean program completion rate of 110.1% and positive user feedback. Exploratory analyses noted improvements in quality of life (QOLIE-31 median difference = +9.12) and anxiety (GAD-7 median difference = -5.50). No inferential testing was performed for seizure frequency, but a descriptive median reduction of 1.17 seizures per 4 weeks was observed, with 50% of participants achieving a ≥ 50% reduction. A brief, app-based mindfulness intervention is feasible and acceptable for PWE in mainland China. This finding supports the rationale for a future randomized controlled trial to rigorously evaluate its efficacy within a stepped-care model.