The Immediate Impact of App-Based Psychotherapeutic Exercises on Anxiety: An RCT.
Depression and anxiety January 1, 2025 Julia Fabienne Sandkühler, Fabian Kahl, Magda Zena Sadurska et al. 2 citations
In a large trial with over a thousand participants, twelve different psychotherapeutic exercises delivered through the Mind Ease app each reduced anxiety more than either a reading control or a no-activity control. The exercises included cognitive restructuring, diaphragmatic breathing, gratitude practice, positive expressive writing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and several mindfulness techniques. Effect sizes ranged from medium to very large, with mindfulness exercises generally showing larger effects than cognitive restructuring. Differences between exercises were substantial, with 42% of pairwise comparisons reaching statistical significance. The findings suggest that a variety of brief, app-based exercises can provide immediate anxiety relief.