Mindful Smartphone Use: A Mindfulness-Based Program for Teens with Sleep and Mood Challenges

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study explores the feasibility and acceptability of Mindwire, a mindfulness-based intervention, among adolescents aged 13-19 who report elevated depression or anxiety and problematic smartphone use. Participants complete an 18-day program and answer online surveys before, after, and about six weeks later to gauge effects and possible mechanisms related to circadian rhythm, sleep quality, and emotion regulation. The trial aims to understand how feasible the program is and what pathways might link reduced phone use with improvements in mood and anxiety symptoms. Eligible participants must own a smartphone, reside in the United States, and report mild to moderate depressive or anxiety symptoms along with specific indicators of problematic device use. The study is conducted with Brown University as the lead sponsor and NIGMS as a collaborator, in Providence, RI.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Own a smartphone (iOS or Android)
* Can read, write, and speak in English due to the measurement and intervention delivered in English;
* Resides in the United States
* Experience mild to moderate levels of depression and/or anxiety symptoms, indicated by PHQ-8 (total score 5-14) and GAD-7 (total score higher than 5)
* Self-report problematic digital device use, defined as following:
* Self-report mobile phone use daily with \>4 hours on average on weekdays
* Self-report smartphone use in bed after 10pm ≥ 3 nights/week
* Say 'Yes' to 2 out of 5 statements regarding problematic phone use: (1) I have found myself engaged on my phone for longer periods of time than initially intended; (2) I have used my phone when I knew I intended to be sleeping or doing work/schoolwork; (3) When I do not use my phone for some time, I feel anxious, moody, or irritable; (4) I have found myself using my phone instead of spending time with people who are important to me and want to spend time with me; and (5) I have used my mobile phone to make myself feel better when I was feeling down

Where it's running

• Brown University
  Providence, Rhode Island, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Shufang Sun, PhD — Brown University
• Study coordinator: Global Mental Health and Flourishing Lab
• Email: flourishing@brown.edu
• Phone: 401-863-1899

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.