Meditation-Based Online Psychological Intervention

NCT07379541 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BNU-poslab-MLD-2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 259
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

As the primary users of smartphones, emerging adults represent a key population for such research. Using a randomised controlled trial, the investigators compared mindfulness-of-death meditation with traditional mindfulness meditation to evaluate the unique effects of the former on problematic smartphone use. The investigators also examined potential psychological pathways-namely increases in self-esteem and meaning in life, and reductions in perceived stress-through which the intervention may exert its benefits.

Conditions

Smartphone Addiction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Smartphone Addiction Scale

  Participants' problematic smartphone use was assessed using the 33-item Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) \[Kwon et al., 2013\]. Although the original scale employed a 6-point response format, the present study utilized a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (almost never) to 5 (almost always; α = .88). The scale comprises six dimensions: daily disturbance, positive anticipation, withdrawal symptoms, online intimacy, excessive use, and tolerance. Higher total scores indicate greater severity of problematic smartphone use.

  Baseline, post-intervention (Day 16), and one-month follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Perceived Stress Scale-10

  Baseline, post-intervention (Day 16), and one-month follow-up

• Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale

  Baseline, post-intervention (Day 16), and one-month follow-up

• Self-Control Scale for College Students

  Baseline, post-intervention (Day 16), and one-month follow-up

• Boredom Proneness Scale-Short Form

  Baseline, post-intervention (Day 16), and one-month follow-up

• Three-Dimensional Meaning in Life Scale

  Baseline, post-intervention (Day 16), and one-month follow-up

Study Arms (3)

Mindfulness-Meditation Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

A 16-day mindfulness-based curriculum was implemented as the intervention, with participants completing one 20-min session daily via the online platform.

Behavioral: Mindful Breathing Practice (MBP) - 16-Day Online Meditation Course

Mindfulness-of-Death Group

EXPERIMENTAL

A 16-day mindfulness-of-death curriculum was implemented as the intervention, with participants completing one 20 min online session daily.

Behavioral: Mindfulness of Death (MoD) - 16-Day Online Meditation Course

Wait-list Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Wait-list Control Group

Interventions

Mindful Breathing Practice (MBP) - 16-Day Online Meditation Course BEHAVIORAL

The Mindful Breathing Practice (MBP) intervention is a 16-day online meditation program designed to cultivate present-moment awareness by intentionally anchoring attention on the natural rhythm of breathing. The course consists of 16 daily sessions (approximately 15 minutes each), including brief instructional guidance and guided mindful breathing exercises. Participants are guided to observe the bodily sensations of inhalation and exhalation (e.g., the airflow at the nostrils or the rise and fall of the abdomen) and, when attention wanders, to gently bring it back to the breath with a non-judgmental and accepting attitude. The intervention adopts a non-religious approach, involves no spiritual or religious content, and is suitable for the general population.

Mindfulness-Meditation Intervention Group

Mindfulness of Death (MoD) - 16-Day Online Meditation Course BEHAVIORAL

The Mindfulness of Death (MoD) intervention is a 16-day online meditation program designed to cultivate awareness of death. The course consists of 16 daily sessions (approximately 20 minutes each), including brief psychoeducational content and guided meditation practice. The initial sessions focus on breathing-based mindfulness to establish attentional stability, followed by mindfulness of death practices that emphasize the inevitability and uncertainty of death while encouraging attention to life and the present moment. The intervention adopts a non-religious approach and does not require participants to hold any religious or spiritual beliefs.

Mindfulness-of-Death Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 29 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• reported no current or past psychiatric diagnosis,
• exhibited problematic smartphone use,
• and had a mean daily screen-on time exceeding four hours.

You may not qualify if:

• aged \<18 or ≥30 years;
• any current or past psychiatric diagnosis;
• self-reported absence of problematic smartphone use;
• mean daily smartphone use ≤4 hours;
• currently enrolled in any meditation-based intervention;
• use of psychoactive medication or concurrent psychological treatment;
• participation in another psychological intervention trial.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beijing Normal University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Beijing Normal University

Beijing, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Internet Addiction Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Technology Addiction; Behavior, Addictive; Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Co-Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 23, 2026
• First Posted: January 30, 2026
• Study Start: February 23, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 25, 2025
• Study Completion: April 25, 2025
• Last Updated: February 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

CN (1)