Top 5 Mental Health Apps To Get You Through The Holiday Season
App Reviews /
Smiling Mind Review
Credibility
4.67 / 5.00
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Detailsfor
Smiling Mind
Overall Score: 14/15
Consumer Ratings: 2/2
Clarity of Purpose: 2/2
Mechanism of Action: 1/1
Software Updates: 1/2
Clinical Input in Development: 1/1
Research on Development Process: 1/1
Efficacy of Other Products: 1/1
Research Independence and Review: 2/2
Research Base: 3/3
Rating Date: December 2020
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User Experience
4.84 / 5.00
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Engagement: 4.75 Functionality: 4.94 Aesthetics: 4.92 Information: 4.75 Subjective quality score: 4.38 Perceived impact score: 4.33 Rating date: March 2020 Rated by: University of Queensland
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Transparency
Unacceptable
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Overall Score: Unacceptable
Does the app have a privacy policy?:Yes
Does the privacy policy describe the information storage and sharing procedures related to user entered information, OR state that user information is stored locally?:Yes
Does the privacy policy state that the app/server encrypts/de-identifies the entered data OR state that user information is stored locally?:No/Can’t Tell
Does the app provide the option of a pin entry or log-in process to view and enter user data?:Yes
Does the privacy policy state whether or not users can use the app WITHOUT entering identifiable information, OR state that user information is stored locally?:No/Can’t Tell
Does the privacy policy state whether or not users can delete entered information OR state that user information is stored locally?:No/Can’t Tell
Does the privacy policy state whether or not users can edit entered information OR state that user information is stored locally?:No/Can’t Tell
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Professional Review
Not Yet AvailableSmiling Mind is an app that offers guided training in mindfulness meditation with the aim to help users achieve better mental health and balance. After users download the app, they are asked to fill out a few questions that will help the app cater to their interests and needs (e.g. better sleep, improve relationships). With programs targeted to users in different age groups (7-9; 10-12; 13-15; 16-18; and Adults), Smiling Mind provides an assortment of directed practice sessions that teach the fundamentals of mindfulness meditation. Each program can range from 1 to 21 modules with 2 to 20 sessions within. Each session lasts anywhere from 1-10 minutes and can be completed at any time.
Technical Details
Available for Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Android 5.0 and up
Developer: SMILING MIND PTY. LTD.
Type of Treatment: Gratitude, Mindfulness
Targeted Conditions: Sleep, Stress and Anxiety
Target Audience: Not Specified
Designed to be used in conjunction with a professional? No
Languages Available: English
Cost: Free
Get it on: Apple App Store, Google Play, Web
Research on this App
Flett and colleagues conducted a randomized controlled trial study (N = 208) where participants ages 18-49 years old were randomly assigned to use three groups. One group used Headspace, another used Smiling Mind, and the control group used Evernote. Participants were then asked to use their app for at least 10 minutes each day for 10 straight days. In addition, after the 10-day treatment period ended, they were able to use the app at their discretion, if at all. Those who used the mindfulness apps showed improvements in symptoms of depression, greater adjustment to college, and Smiling Mind users also showed increases in resilience compared to the control group conditions who used Evernote. Those who continued to use the app after the 10-day treatment period had a greater likelihood of maintaining better overall mental health for the next 30 days. (Flett, J. A. M., Hayne, H., Riordan, B. C., Thompson, L. K., & Conner, T. (2019), https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-1050-9)
Lanz and colleagues conducted a randomized controlled trial study (N = 105) aimed to understand the effectiveness of using a mobile application on burnout and mood. Participants, who were working adults in the United States, were randomly assigned to one of two groups for a 8-week period. The first group was a wait-list control group and the treatment group used Smiling Mind five times a week for at least 10 minutes. After taking questionnaires both pre- and post-intervention, results showed that individuals in the intervention group had significantly decreased levels of burnout with no significant changes to mood. (Lanz, J. J., Friston, K., Hoffert, K., & Carrillo, K. C. (2019). https://doi.org/10.15640/jpbs.v7n2a1)
Additional studies found at: https://www.smilingmind.com.au/research
