NCT07379541

Meditation-Based Online Psychological Intervention

Effects of Mindfulness-of-Death Meditation on Problematic Smartphone Use in Emerging Adulthood

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 259 (actual)
• Sponsor: Beijing Normal University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 29 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

As the primary users of smartphones, emerging adults represent a key population for such research. Using a randomised controlled trial, the investigators compared mindfulness-of-death meditation with traditional mindfulness meditation to evaluate the unique effects of the former on problematic smartphone use. The investigators also examined potential psychological pathways-namely increases in self-esteem and meaning in life, and reductions in perceived stress-through which the intervention may exert its benefits.

Conditions

• Smartphone Addiction

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness of Death (MoD) - 16-Day Online Meditation Course	The Mindfulness of Death (MoD) intervention is a 16-day online meditation program designed to cultivate awareness of death. The course consists of 16 daily sessions (approximately 20 minutes each), including brief psychoeducational content and guided meditation practice. The initial sessions focus on breathing-based mindfulness to establish attentional stability, followed by mindfulness of death practices that emphasize the inevitability and uncertainty of death while encouraging attention to life and the present moment. The intervention adopts a non-religious approach and does not require participants to hold any religious or spiritual beliefs.
BEHAVIORAL	Mindful Breathing Practice (MBP) - 16-Day Online Meditation Course	The Mindful Breathing Practice (MBP) intervention is a 16-day online meditation program designed to cultivate present-moment awareness by intentionally anchoring attention on the natural rhythm of breathing. The course consists of 16 daily sessions (approximately 15 minutes each), including brief instructional guidance and guided mindful breathing exercises. Participants are guided to observe the bodily sensations of inhalation and exhalation (e.g., the airflow at the nostrils or the rise and fall of the abdomen) and, when attention wanders, to gently bring it back to the breath with a non-judgmental and accepting attitude. The intervention adopts a non-religious approach, involves no spiritual or religious content, and is suitable for the general population.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-02-23
• Primary completion: 2025-04-25
• Completion: 2025-04-25
• First posted: 2026-01-30
• Last updated: 2026-02-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China