Using smartphone meditation to help reduce depression in teenagers

Smartphone-based meditation training to reduce adolescent depression

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10884328

This study is looking at how using a smartphone app for meditation can help teenagers aged 12 to 20 feel less depressed, making it easier for them to access and personalize their mental health support.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-10884328 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how smartphone-based meditation training can help reduce symptoms of depression in adolescents aged 12 to 20. The approach utilizes mobile health technology to deliver meditation-based interventions, making them accessible and personalized for young people. By integrating personal sensing data from wearable devices, the study aims to understand how these interventions can effectively improve mental health outcomes. A sample of 150 adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms will participate in the program, which has shown promise in adult populations.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who are experiencing elevated depressive symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients who are not within the age range of 12 to 20 or those without depressive symptoms may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide an effective, accessible tool for adolescents to manage and reduce their depressive symptoms.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research on mobile health meditation interventions in adults has shown success, indicating potential for similar outcomes in adolescents.

Where this research is happening

Madison, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.