JMIR Mental Health · Published 2026-07-15 · DOI 10.2196/98056
Xichun Wu, Jackelyn De Alwis, Zenan Dou, Hoyin Lo, Sisi Wang, Jingyi Wu, Wei Xu
Abstract BackgroundMobile mindfulness interventions have shown promise for reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms, but sustaining engagement remains a persistent challenge. Many digital programs still rely on formal practice that requires dedicated time, which may be difficult to integrate into daily life. ObjectiveThis randomized controlled trial evaluated Habitual Mindfulness Practice (HMP), a self-guided mobile mindfulness intervention that embeds brief practices into recurring daily routines, among adults with mild to moderate psychological distress. Outcomes were compared with those of Traditional Mindfulness (TM), Mindfulness-Based Psychoeducation (MBP), and a waitlist control (WL). MethodsAdults aged 18 to 65 years with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety or depression were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to HMP, TM, MBP, or WL (N=686). All procedures were conducted online, and the intervention was fully self-guided, with outcomes assessed using self-report measures. The intervention lasted 21 days, with assessments conducted at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes were depressive and anxiety symptoms. Secondary outcomes included mindfulness, cognitive emotion regulation, affective balance, and interpersonal difficulties. Postintervention group differences were examined, controlling for baseline scores, and longitudinal trajectories were evaluated across the active intervention conditions. ResultsAt postintervention, significant group effects were observed for depressive symptoms (F3,681PF3,681PPP ConclusionsA routine-embedded, self-guided mobile mindfulness intervention may be a feasible approach for reducing mild to moderate psychological distress. HMP produced benefits broadly comparable to those of traditional app-delivered mindfulness, but it did not confer advantages in engagement or short-term efficacy.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Wu, X., Alwis, J., Dou, Z., et al. (2026). A Self-Guided Mobile Mindfulness Intervention Embedded in Daily Routines for Adults With Mild to Moderate Psychological Distress: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.2196/98056