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The Gamification of Meditation: A Randomized-Controlled Study of a Prescribed Mobile Mindfulness Meditation Application in Reducing College Students’ Depression

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  • Matthew T. Fish
  • Amelia D. Saul

Abstract

Objective. Roughly 35% of college students report depression as a significant concern , which unaddressed, can lead to an increased likelihood to quit school and develop comorbid conditions. Traditional depression interventions are useful; however, they are often expensive, stigmatizing, tedious, and time-intensive. We examined a prescribed mindfulness meditation regimen , which incorporates gamification principles, in reducing symptoms of depression compared to a control group. Materials and methods. We recruited and randomly assigned 72 college students to an experimental group (n = 33) or a control group (n = 39). The prescription for experimfiental group participants was ten 10-minute mobile mindfulness meditation sessions over a 14-day period; control group participants continued with business as usual. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to test our hypothesis. Results. Repeated-measures ANOVA demonstrated a significant interaction of group by time for depression scores , supporting the hypothesis that experimental group participants would significantly decrease their depression symptom severity compared to control group participants post-intervention. Within-subjects contrasts and between-group analyses showed a significant decrease in depression symptom severity scores. Conclusion. Prescribed use of a gamified mindfulness meditation application significantly decreased depression symptom severity as measured by the PHQ-9. College students and mental health providers should consider these fun, inexpensive, and non-stigmatizing applications as a feasible intervention for college students to improve symptoms associated with depression .

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew T. Fish & Amelia D. Saul, 2019. "The Gamification of Meditation: A Randomized-Controlled Study of a Prescribed Mobile Mindfulness Meditation Application in Reducing College Students’ Depression," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 50(4), pages 419-435, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:simgam:v:50:y:2019:i:4:p:419-435
    DOI: 10.1177/1046878119851821
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    Cited by:

    1. Juan Pablo Pizarro-Ruiz & Nuria Ordóñez-Camblor & Mario Del-Líbano & María-Camino Escolar-LLamazares, 2021. "Influence on Forgiveness, Character Strengths and Satisfaction with Life of a Short Mindfulness Intervention via a Spanish Smartphone Application," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Olivia Magwood & Ammar Saad & Dominique Ranger & Kate Volpini & Franklin Rukikamirera & Rinila Haridas & Shahab Sayfi & Jeremie Alexander & Yvonne Tan & Kevin Pottie, 2024. "Mobile apps to reduce depressive symptoms and alcohol use in youth: A systematic review and meta‐analysis," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(2), June.

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