In one research study, Goldberg conducted a randomized, 8-week intervention study (N=343) with the objective of understanding the effects of a self-guided, meditation-based app on the psychological distress levels of participants as well as secondary outcomes such as social connection. 343 participants with basic meditation experience were randomized into 1 of 3 treatments – waitlist control or one of two smartphone-based meditation interventions (Healthy Minds Program). All participants completed the Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Information System (PROMIS) questionnaire to assess depression and anxiety levels, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to assess stress levels, Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (SCS-R) to assess interpersonal connection, Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) to assess empathy, Compassionate Love Scale (CLS) to assess feelings of compassion, Self-Reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS) to assess participants’ inclination of self-reflection, Perseverative Thnking Questionnaire (PTQ) to assess rumination, Drexel Defusion Scale (DDS) to assess one’s ability to distance themselves psychologically from one’s internal experiences, and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) to assess mindfulness during baseline, week 4, and week 8. With 186/343 (54.2%) participants completing the week 4 and/or week 8 assessment, those in one of the two smartphone-based meditation interventions showed larger improvements in measures for distress, social connectedness, mindfulness, and measures related to insight training (ds =-0.28 to 0.41).
5.00
Acceptable
4.64
