This is my draft dissertation on mindfulness apps, this covers key studies and points on human brain emotion and how apps are received and perceived by humans and the technological factors that effect the strength of mental health apps when users are engaging with apps.
A qualitative exploration of Mindfulness apps in relation to user engagement and
experiences
, Can we be mindful whilst still being connected? Exploring how individuals engage with
mindfulness apps
Abstract
Background: Mindfulness based apps have become a popular intervention accompanying a
long list of self-health apps, individuals download these apps with an expectation to receive
support from the other end of the screen. Mindfulness apps amongst other wellbeing apps
lack scientific credibility and are convenient in a world that is full of constant go. The
validity of the apps and how they are processed by users have not been richly researched.
This study explores how apps connect with the user and emit its purpose.
Method: Seven participants were recruited to investigate how mindfulness apps are received,
perceived and experienced along with richly providing their experiences on the effectiveness
of a mindfulness based app, in this study the app used was “Rize”.
Results: After the participants were interviewed and interviews were transcribed and
analysed there is clear amount of consistency in the agreements and disagreements of the
effectiveness and connectedness received from using a mindfulness based app, the
participants richly report how Mindfulness apps are internalised, felt and engaged with.
Conclusion: Mindfulness apps are convenient and work well with a constant on the go
lifestyle as reported by participants, however technology was unable to provide the
effectiveness and realness of a face to face session. The participants have richly demonstrated
how “care” via an app does not exist and the connection and relationship during practices felt,
are lacking in strength due to receiving the sessions via technology which cannot replace or
provide the deep connection received via human interaction.
1. Introduction
1.1 Background to the study
Mindfulness based programmes such as the mindfulness based stress reduction course
(MBSR), have been scientifically proven to change brain regions that are associated with
positive mental health (Lazar et al., 2005; Pagoni and Cekic, 2007; Holzel et al.,2008;
Luders et al 2009; Vestergaard-Poulsen et al.,2009; Grant et al.,2010;). Mindfulness
based programmes are shown to positively affect the psychological, somatic,
interpersonal and behavioural aspects of an individual (Baer 2014). According to John
Kabatt Zinn the finder of Mindfulness, mindfulness helps to develop a more attentive,
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