Mobile App-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Addressing Psychological Distress Among Survivors of Hospitalization for COVID-19 Infection.
CHEST critical care June 1, 2024 Christopher E Cox, John A Gallis, Maren K Olsen et al. 3 citations
Among survivors of COVID-19 hospitalization with elevated depression symptoms, a self-directed mobile app mindfulness intervention showed no benefit over usual care and had poor adherence. In a randomized trial at 29 US sites, 56 participants were assigned to a four-week app program or control. At three months, depression scores improved similarly in both groups (intervention -0.5 vs control +0.1), with no meaningful differences in anxiety or quality of life; six-month results were comparable. Only about half of intervention participants started the program, and adherence was low. Regulatory delays added nearly a year before the trial could launch. The findings suggest that future large-scale psychological distress interventions should prioritize patient engagement and streamlined regulatory processes.