Skip to main content

Integrating Mindfulness into a Routine Schedule: The Role of Mobile-Health Mindfulness Applications

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Nutrition, Fitness, and Mindfulness

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

Abstract

With the increasing popularity of both mindfulness-based interventions and smartphone apps focusing on (mental) health, the question arises if mindfulness apps are a useful way of teaching mindfulness. We explore this question by reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of administering mindfulness via apps and by challenging the view that mindfulness can only be taught in face-to-face formats. Additionally, we review randomized-controlled studies which provide evidence that mindfulness apps can bring about positive effects on a range of outcomes. Because of the sparse literature on mindfulness apps—especially regarding health behaviors—we conclude by delineating some future directions for exploring the use and efficacy of mindfulness apps.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Allen NB, Chambers R, Knight W, Blashki G, Ciechomski L, Hassed C, et al. Mindfulness-based psychotherapies: a review of conceptual foundations, empirical evidence and practical considerations. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2006;40(4):285–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Amirkhan JH. Stress overload: a new approach to the assessment of stress. Am J Community Psychol. 2012;49(1–2):55–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Amirkhan JH, Urizar GG, Clark S. Criterion validation of a stress measure: the stress overload scale. Psychol Assess. 2015;27(3):985–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Bennike IH, Wieghorst A, Kirk U. Online-based mindfulness training reduces behavioral markers of mind wandering. J Cogn Enhanc. 2017;1(2):172–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Cavanagh K, Strauss C, Forder L, Jones F. Can mindfulness and acceptance be learnt by self-help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of mindfulness and acceptance-based self-help interventions. Clin Psychol Rev. 2014;34:118–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Carmody J, Baer RA. Relationships between mindfulness practice and levels of mindfulness, medical and psychological symptoms and well-being in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. J Behav Med. 2008;31(1):23–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Carmody J, Baer RA. How long does a mindfulness-based stress reduction program need to be? A review of class contact hours and effect sizes for psychological distress. J Clin Psychol. 2009;65(6):627–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Economides M, Martman J, Bell MJ, Sanderson B. Improvements in stress, affect, and irritability following brief use of a mindfulness-based smartphone app: a randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness. 2018;9(5):1584–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Howells A, Ivtzan I, Eiroa-Orosa FJ. Putting the ‘app’ in happiness: a randomised controlled trial of a smartphone-based mindfulness intervention to enhance wellbeing. J Happiness Stud. 2014;17(1):163–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Hudlicka E. Virtual training and coaching of health behavior: example from mindfulness meditation training. Patient Educ Couns. 2013;92(2):160–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Kabat-Zinn J. Full catastrophe living; using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain and illness. London: Piatkus; 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kabat-Zinn J. Full catastrophe living; how to cope with stress, pain and illness using mindfulness meditation. London: Little, Brown Book Group; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ly KH, Trüschel A, Jarl L, Magnusson S, Windahl T, Johansson R, et al. Behavioural activation versus mindfulness-based guided self-help treatment administered through a smartphone application: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2014;4(1):e003440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Mani M, Kavanagh DJ, Hides L, Stoyanov SR. Review and evaluation of mindfulness-based iphone apps. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2015;3(3):e82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Plaza I, Demarzo MM, Herrera-Mercadal P, García-Campayo J. Mindfulness-based mobile applications: literature review and analysis of current features. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2013;1(2):e24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Segal ZV, Williams JMG, Teasdale JD. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: a new approach to preventing relapse. New York: Guilford Publications; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Segal Z, Williams M, Teasdale J. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. New York: The Guilford Press; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Shamekhi A, Bickmore T. Breathe with me: a virtual meditation coach, vol. 9238, p. 279–82. Presented at the International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents, Springer International Publishing; 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Spijkerman MPJ, Pots WTM, Bohlmeijer ET. Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental health: a review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clin Psychol Rev. 2016;45:102–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Thomée S, Härenstam A, Hagberg M. Mobile phone use and stress, sleep disturbances, and symptoms of depression among young adults-a prospective cohort study. BMC Public Health. 2011;11(1):66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Van Dam NT, Van Vugt MK, Vago DR, Vago DR, Schmalzl L, Saron CD, et al. Mind the hype: a critical evaluation and prescriptive agenda for research on mindfulness and meditation. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2017;9:174569161770958.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Van Emmerik AAP, Berings F, Lancee J. Efficacy of a mindfulness-based mobile application: a randomized waiting-list controlled trial. Mindfulness. 2018;9:187–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Wahbeh H, Svalina MN, Oken BS. Group, one-on-one, or internet? Preferences for mindfulness meditation delivery format and their predictors. Open Med J. 2014;1:66–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arnold A. P. van Emmerik .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

van Emmerik, A.A.P., Keijzer, R., Schoenmakers, T.M. (2020). Integrating Mindfulness into a Routine Schedule: The Role of Mobile-Health Mindfulness Applications. In: Uribarri, J., Vassalotti, J. (eds) Nutrition, Fitness, and Mindfulness. Nutrition and Health. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30892-6_15

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30892-6_15

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-30891-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-30892-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics