Clinical benefits of self-guided mindfulness coach mobile app use for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot randomized control trial.
Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy July 1, 2025 Joseph Wielgosz, Robyn D Walser, Eric Kuhn et al. 8 citations
A pilot randomized trial tested a free, publicly available mobile app called Mindfulness Coach (MC) tailored to veterans with PTSD. Among 173 U.S. veterans, those assigned to self-guided use of the app showed medium reductions in PTSD symptoms and depression after eight weeks compared with a waitlist control group, but no change in psychosocial functioning. Higher-intensity users experienced greater benefits. App engagement was lower for women and minoritized subpopulations. Study attrition was high (68.4%), but diagnostic tests indicated no bias from missing data. Usability and helpfulness ratings were favorable. The findings suggest MC holds promise as a public health resource for veterans with PTSD, though further study is needed to confirm benefits and ensure consistent engagement across groups.