Chronic pain affects about 20% of U.S. adults, and non-addictive treatments like mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) are increasingly important. A key challenge is keeping people engaged in home practice over time. Researchers interviewed 10 MBSR facilitators about using a voice interface (smart speaker) to support home practice. Facilitators supported the idea, especially for people with limited motor function, and noted that voice interfaces offer a sense of social presence that may help sustain engagement. The findings demonstrate that trained mindfulness facilitators find a voice interface acceptable for supporting home MBSR practice, leading to design recommendations for technologies that provide long-term support for mindfulness interventions.
Trained mindfulness facilitators supported the use of a voice interface to help people with chronic pain practice Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at home, especially those with limited motor function. Facilitators noted that voice interfaces offer unique benefits, such as a sense of social presence, which may encourage continued engagement. The study identifies design recommendations for technologies that aim to provide long-term support for mindfulness-based interventions, highlighting the potential of voice technology as a non-addictive pain management tool.