Mindfulness Apps to Improve Depression Severity and Family Management in Parents of Children With Medical Complexity:...

Parents of children with medical complexity (CMC) frequently experience challenges with family management and depression. The purpose of the study was to provide preliminary feasibility, usage, acceptability, and efficacy data following a trial of mindfulness app use in parents of a CMC.

In this single-arm intervention pilot study, parents were asked to use a mindfulness mobile application (app) for 10-15 min, 4 days a week. Depression severity and family management were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Family Management Measure, respectively, at baseline and 4 weeks later.

A total of 32 parents consented to participate; 28 parents completed all surveys. Self-reported usage data indicate that 8 parents (32%) used the app 4 days a week and 12 parents (50%) used it for at least 10 min/session. The majority rated the app easy to use and would recommend it (n = 26; 92.8%). There was a statistically significant improvement in depression severity and family management scores following app use. Time spent using the app had a strong negative correlation with depression severity scores (p <0.01), however, the number of days used per week of use was not statistically significant.

Parents of a CMC are at risk for depression and family management issues. Timely identification of parental mental health is important so interventions can be provided. This pilot study provides promising, preliminary information regarding the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a mindfulness app intervention.