Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Using a Randomized Clinical Trial to Test the Efficacy of a Culturally Responsive Mobile Health Application in African Americans.

Behavior therapy
July 1, 2024
Natalie N Watson-Singleton et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine if a culturally responsive mindfulness mHealth app could reduce stress-related outcomes and enhance self-compassion, resilience, and mindfulness behaviors among African Americans.

Results Summary

The intervention group reported increased self-compassion, mindfulness use, and self-efficacy, but no significant differences were found in stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, or emotional regulation compared to the control group. Participants rated the app highly for relevance and satisfaction.

Population

170 Black/African American adults

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

12 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
culturally responsive mindfulness mHealth app
increase
self-compassion
Black/African American participants
-
reported more
#1
culturally responsive mindfulness mHealth app
increase
mindfulness
Black/African American participants
-
used more
#2
culturally responsive mindfulness mHealth app
increase
self-efficacy using mindfulness
Black/African American participants
-
had greater
#3
culturally responsive mindfulness mHealth app
no change
stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, resilience, mindfulness attitudes and behaviors
Black/African American participants
-
no other differences were evident
#4
culturally responsive mindfulness mHealth app
increase
satisfaction with the app
Black/African American participants
-
expressed high levels of satisfaction
#5
culturally responsive mindfulness mHealth app
increase
relevance to their lives
Black/African American participants
-
gave it a positive rating
#6
Abstract

Mindfulness is a promising health promotion strategy for African Americans, and it is imperative that culturally responsive mindfulness approaches be accessible to this population. One way to address this need is to develop and test if culturally responsive mobile health (mhealth) applications are efficacious in reducing stress-related outcomes in this population. With this goal in mind, we employed a repeated-measures randomized control trial (RCT) across a 12-week intervention period to evaluate if participants in the intervention group outperformed a wait-list control group in reductions in stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties as well as in increases in self-compassion, resilience, and mindfulness attitudes and behaviors. Our sample included 170 Black/African American participants who were randomly assigned to either the intervention condition (n = 84) or the wait-list control group (n = 86). Participants in the intervention condition reported more self-compassion, used more mindfulness, and had greater self-efficacy using mindfulness; yet, no other differences were evident. Participants expressed high levels of satisfaction with the app and gave it a positive rating for its relevance to their lives. These findings support the efficacy of a culturally responsive mindfulness mHealth app to enhance self-compassion and increase the use of health-promoting behaviors, like mindfulness, among African Americans. Implications for future research are discussed.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansBlack or African AmericanFemaleMaleMindfulnessAdultMiddle AgedTelemedicineStress, PsychologicalMobile ApplicationsDepressionAnxietySelf EfficacyEmpathyEmotional Regulation
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.70
Normalized Score0.67
Related Supplements
Using a Randomized Clinical Trial to Test the Efficacy of a ... | Panacea Index