An mHealth Intervention Promoting Physical Activity to Reduce Psychological Distress Among Workers: Randomized
Kazuhiro Watanabe1,2, Akiomi Inoue3, Asuka Sakuraya2
1Department of Public Health, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0374, Japan, 81 42-778-9352.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|August 14, 2026
Summary
A smartphone app modestly reduced psychological distress in workers over 3 months, but benefits were not sustained. The mobile health (mHealth) intervention showed potential for workplace mental health, especially in healthier individuals.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Occupational Health
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Limited evidence exists on mobile health (mHealth) interventions for reducing psychological distress in healthy workers.
- mHealth interventions targeting physical activity are a potential solution for mental health challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of a smartphone app for monitoring physical activity and psychological distress.
- To assess the app's impact on reducing psychological distress among workers.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, 2-arm, parallel-group randomized clinical trial over 6 months in Japan.
- Participants used a smartphone app (intervention) or received a booklet (control).
- Primary outcome: psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale); secondary: physical activity.
Main Results:
- Psychological distress significantly decreased in the intervention group at 3 months (P=.04) but was not sustained at 6 months.
- Digitally recorded physical activity increased in the intervention group (P=.02).
- A larger effect was observed in participants with minimal baseline distress.
Conclusions:
- The smartphone app modestly reduced psychological distress in workers, but benefits were short-lived.
- The mechanisms (biological, psychosocial) linking the app to distress reduction remain unclear.
- Booster engagement strategies are needed to sustain mHealth intervention benefits in workplace mental health.
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