Comparison of Mindfulness Apps Mindfulness-Practice for Managing Persistent Pain Due to Musculoskeletal Disorders

College of Health Sciences, Hildebrand, Gabrielle, Huber, Greta, Huguet, Alyssa, Mentor, Occupational Science & Technology, Poster Presentation, Project, School and College, Sindhu, Bhagwant, Student

Alyssa Huguet and Greta Huber, “Comparison of Mindfulness Apps Mindfulness-Practice for Managing Persistent Pain Due to Musculoskeletal Disorders”
Mentor: Bhagwant Sindhu, Occupational Science & Technology
Poster #76

In recent years, the use of mindfulness practice has increased among adults across the U.S. In addition, Occupational and Physical Therapists are increasingly incorporating mindfulness practice as an intervention for managing pain, stress, and sleep. This rise in popularity of mindfulness practice is associated with an increase in the number of mindfulness practice apps available for users to practice guided meditation at anytime and anywhere. Our multidisciplinary team has used various mindfulness-practice apps in intervention protocols for managing persistent pain due to musculoskeletal disorders. However, it is not clear to our team which mindfulness practice app should be used in future studies. The purpose of this study was to compare features and quality of three different mindfulness-practice apps to inform methodology with our future studies. Methods: In this study we selected the two highest rated mindfulness apps (Calm, Headspace), and an app developed by our collaborators at University of Wisconsin-Madison (Healthy Minds Program). We conducted literature reviews on the use of the three apps for managing sleep, pain, and psychological distress. In addition, using a randomizer tool, our three team members were assigned two apps each to review and use for practicing mindfulness. Each team member used one app and then the second app for 20-50 minutes for 10 days. At the end of 10 days, the team member used the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) to score the quality of each assigned app. Results: The total mean score for app quality (engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information) were similar for Calm (3.25), Headspace (3.75), and Healthy Minds Program (3.75). Additionally, across 13 different features evaluated, all the apps had similar features. Conclusion: All three apps are of similar quality and similar in improving sleep, pain, and psychological distress. However, the Healthy Minds Program is the most suitable app to use in future research studies as well as for incorporating it into clinical practice given that it is available to users at no cost. Future studies need to be conducted to compare the influence of Calm, Headspace, and Healthy Minds Program for improving pain, sleep, and psychological distress.