Mobile mindfulness app to reduce anxiety before elective surgery
Effects of Mobile-based Mindfulness Intervention to Reduce Preoperative Anxiety for Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
This pilot trial will test whether a four-week mindfulness program delivered through a free mobile app can lower anxiety on the day of elective surgery for adults having general anesthesia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Trial ID | NCT07005973 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a pilot parallel-arm randomized controlled trial at Tin Shui Wai Hospital enrolling 40 adults scheduled for non-emergency surgery under general anesthesia. Participants are randomized 1:1 to receive a four-week mobile-based mindfulness program plus usual care or to receive usual care alone. The primary outcome is preoperative anxiety measured with the STAI-S on the day of surgery; secondary outcomes include postoperative pain, analgesic use, emergency department revisits, and user satisfaction with the app. The intervention uses a free, anonymous mindfulness app developed by The University of Hong Kong and targets patients with baseline trait anxiety (STAI-T ≥ 40).
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (≥18 years) who speak Chinese, own a smartphone, are scheduled for non-emergency surgery under general anesthesia, and have an STAI-T score of at least 40.
Not a fit: Patients currently being treated for psychiatric conditions, with serious comorbidities, sensory impairments, emergency surgeries, or those without smartphone access are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this low-cost, easy-to-deliver app could reduce anxiety before surgery and possibly improve postoperative pain control and reduce analgesic use.
How similar studies have performed: Mindfulness-based interventions have shown benefit for reducing stress and anxiety in prior studies, and mobile-delivered mindfulness is a growing but less extensively tested approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * adult (age\>= 18 years old) * scheduled to undergo non-emergency surgery under general anesthesia (GA) * use of smart phone * able to understand the Chinese language and express their feelings sufficiently * STAI-T score \>=40 Exclusion Criteria: * unable to provide informed consent * history or current treatment for psychological complaints * serious physical or psychological co-morbidities * hearing or vision impairment * patients withdrawal from continuing to participate in the study
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong
- Tin Shui Wai Hospital — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: KIT HANG MR KWAN, Advanced Practice Nurse — Tin Shui Wai Hospital
- Study coordinator: KIT HANG MR KWAN, Advanced Practice Nurse
- Email: kkh338@ha.org.hk
- Phone: 825-98639969
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.