Digital mindfulness-based intervention for people with COPD - a multicentre pilot and feasibility RCT
Hannah Tschenett1,2,3, Florian Vafai-Tabrizi2,4, Ralf Harun Zwick5
1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Respiratory Research
|May 26, 2025
Summary
This pilot study found a digital mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) feasible for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The MBI improved anxiety and emotional functioning, showing promise as a low-threshold treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Behavioral Medicine
- Digital Health
Background:
- Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are recognized for improving health in chronic conditions.
- The GOLD 2024 report suggests MBIs for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), yet evidence in this population is limited.
- This study addresses the scarcity of research on MBIs for COPD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of an 8-week digital MBI in psychologically burdened COPD patients.
- To assess the preliminary effects of a digital MBI on mental and physical health outcomes in COPD.
- To explore the impact of MBIs on anxiety, depression, and stress markers in COPD.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized controlled pilot study involving 30 COPD patients.
- Participants were allocated to an 8-week digital MBI (daily audio-guided meditation via smartphone) or a waitlist control group.
- Feasibility was assessed via usage rates and patient feedback; preliminary effects were measured using validated questionnaires (HADS, CAT, CRQ-SAS, PSS-10) and biological markers.
Main Results:
- The digital MBI demonstrated feasibility with an 81% usage rate and positive patient feedback.
- Significant improvements were observed in anxiety (HADS-A) and emotional functioning (CRQ-SAS) after 8 weeks.
- Momentary measures showed significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and dyspnea immediately after meditation sessions.
Conclusions:
- An 8-week digital MBI is feasible and shows preliminary efficacy in improving anxiety and emotional functioning in COPD patients.
- Digital MBIs show potential as accessible, low-threshold add-on treatments for managing COPD symptoms.
- Further large-scale trials are warranted to confirm the effectiveness of digital MBIs in COPD management.
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