Comparing Mobile Mindfulness Therapy and Standard Counseling on Stress Levels Among Medical Undergraduates

Abstract

Background:  Medical undergraduates experience elevated stress levels due to demanding academic workloads and competitive learning environments, often leading to burnout and sleep disturbances. Traditional counseling, though effective, may not always be accessible or time-efficient. The advent of mobile health technologies presents an opportunity to deliver mindfulness interventions in a flexible and self-directed manner, potentially improving adherence and outcomes. 

Objective: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of mobile mindfulness therapy and conventional counseling in reducing perceived stress and improving sleep quality among medical undergraduates. 

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 120 medical students from South Punjab, divided equally into two groups. The intervention group received app-based mindfulness sessions for four weeks, while the control group underwent standard counseling of equal duration. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess outcomes pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests for normally distributed variables. 

Results: The mean reduction in PSS scores was significantly greater in the mindfulness group (−8.9 ± 3.1) than in the counseling group (−4.6 ± 2.8; p < 0.001). Similarly, PSQI scores improved more markedly among mindfulness users (mean change −4.1 ± 1.9) compared to controls (−2.0 ± 1.4; p < 0.01). No adverse effects were reported, and participant satisfaction rates were higher in the mobile therapy group (93%) than in the control (79%). 

Conclusion: Mobile mindfulness therapy demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing stress and enhancing sleep quality compared to standard counseling. The findings support integrating digital mindfulness tools as practical adjuncts to student mental health care.