Feasibility and acceptability of using a meditation app in adults with rheumatic disease.
Explore (NY) November 9, 2021 Dana D. DiRenzo, Carly Hunt, Erica M. Sibinga et al. 5 citations
A pilot study tested whether adults with rheumatic diseases would use a smartphone meditation app (Calm) for at least five minutes daily over 30 days. Of 35 mostly female, well-educated participants who began, 18 completed the full study. Those who finished had higher baseline stress, anxiety, pain, and global disease scores than those who dropped out. Completers averaged 283 total minutes of app use and showed significant improvement in fatigue, with trends toward less stress, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and pain. The authors conclude that app-based meditation is a feasible non-drug option for improving quality of life and fatigue, but more rigorous research is needed.