Mellowing Mind: Comparing Two Technology Based Mindfulness Interventions for Stress Impacted by COVID-19 in Underserved Communities

Comparing Two Ways to Mitigate the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health Among Adults From Underserved and Racial Minority Communities

The purpose of this study is to examine the comparative effectiveness of two technology-based Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs (one via video/teleconference and one via a smartphone app) for reducing worry, anxiety and/or related mental health effects of stress in members of identified underserved communities, which were highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to examine the comparative effectiveness of two technology-based Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs (one via video/teleconference and one via a smartphone app) for reducing worry, anxiety, and/or related mental health effects of stress in members of identified underserved communities, which were highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will be randomly assigned to a teleconference MBSR program, a MBSR smartphone app program, or a waitlist control group. Each intervention includes participation in a 9-week (8 sessions plus an introduction) mindfulness intervention that consists of instruction and daily practice. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews will be administered at mid-intervention, post-intervention, and one-month and three-month follow-up points. It is hypothesized that participants in the two intervention groups will show measurable and sustained improvement in the primary outcome, worry, as well as in the secondary outcomes, anxiety and related mental health effects. It is further hypothesized that the smartphone app mindfulness intervention will show similar effectiveness to the teleconference mindfulness intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years and older
• Significant worry as per the Penn State Worry Questionnaire-Abbreviated [PSWQ-A]
• Fluent in English
• Reside in one of the local city zip codes, identified as underserved, and primarily African American, communities

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe depression as per Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]
• Active suicidal intent as per PHQ-9 question 9
• Diagnosis of psychosis, or bipolar disorder, or moderate or severe substance use disorder in the past month as per self report
• Cognitive impairment as per (modified) Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire [SPMSQ]
• Currently receiving psychotherapy or behavioral counseling, including MBSR
• Change in psychotropic medications within the last month as per self report
• Unable to communicate in a way that would allow for participation in screenings or sessions