App-based self-guided mindfulness training for adults with epilepsy: a six-week single-arm feasibility study

This feasibility study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a simplified, app-based mindfulness intervention for people with epilepsy (PWE) in mainland China.

Ten adults with epilepsy completed a 6-week, self-guided mindfulness program (15 min/day, 6 days/week) delivered via a WeChat mini-program. Feasibility was measured by program completion rates and an acceptability questionnaire. Exploratory pre-post assessments included quality of life (QOLIE-31), anxiety (GAD-7), depression (NDDI-E), trait mindfulness (MAAS), and seizure frequency. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, effect size estimators (Cliff's δ, Hodges-Lehmann), Bayes factors, minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds and descriptive statistics were employed.

The intervention demonstrated high feasibility, with a mean program completion rate of 110.1% and positive user feedback. Exploratory analyses noted improvements in quality of life (QOLIE-31 median difference = +9.12) and anxiety (GAD-7 median difference = -5.50). No inferential testing was performed for seizure frequency, but a descriptive median reduction of 1.17 seizures per 4 weeks was observed, with 50% of participants achieving a ≥ 50% reduction.

A brief, app-based mindfulness intervention is feasible and acceptable for PWE in mainland China. This finding supports the rationale for a future randomized controlled trial to rigorously evaluate its efficacy within a stepped-care model.