Exploring the Effects of Technology-Enabled Mindfulness and Meditation on Stress Management

Abstract

Background: Studies suggest that certain technologies may help regulate emotional states and reduce stress. Spire is a wearable device that measures breathing patterns to identify distinct emotional states—calm, tense or focus—to send feedback to the user. Muse is a meditation device that gives real time user audio-feedback based on the EEG wave patterns. Objective: The objective of our study was to test the effect of each device on managing stress. Methods: There were 126 participants recruited remotely and randomized to one of two interventions evaluating the Spire (group 1) and Muse (group 2) devices. Each study involved a 2-week baseline period followed by a 6-week intervention. All participants wore the Spire device in the baseline period where it collected data on the frequency and duration of calm, focus, or tense breathing patterns. Then, in group 1, feedback from the Spire device was turned on during the intervention period alerting participants of unfavorable breathing patterns on a companion app. In group 2, feedback from the Spire device remained off for the 6-week intervention period. Additionally, participants in group 2 meditated with the Muse device for 3 to 5 times per week during the intervention period. The Perceived Stress Survey (PSS-14) and Connor-Davidson Stress Resilience Scale (CD-Risc) were administered to all participants at enrollment (Week 1) and closeout (Week 8). Questionnaire and device data from group 1 and 2 were analyzed to determine the effect of each device on mental health outcomes from enrollment to closeout, and baseline to intervention, respectively. Results: In group 1, perceived stress significantly decreased from 23.59 to 20.24 (P=.001), but there was no significant change in stress resilience [(68.25 to 69.5 (P=.44)]. In group 2, perceived stress significantly decreased from 22.49 to 19.15 (P