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Stand-alone mobile mindfulness app for people experiencing infertility: A pilot randomised controlled trial (MoMiFer-RCT)
Boedt,Tessy Willaert,Nele Fong,Sharon Lie Dancet,Eline Raes,Filip Van der Gucht,Katleen
Boedt,Tessy
Willaert,Nele
Fong,Sharon Lie
Dancet,Eline
Raes,Filip
Van der Gucht,Katleen
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Infertility and its treatments result in considerable emotional burden. This study aimed to examine the impact of a stand-alone mobile mindfulness application (MoMiFer-app). METHODS: A pilot RCT was conducted with participants randomized into an intervention group (n = 34) using the MoMiFer-app, and a wait-list control group (n=38). Outcomes were collected at baseline, 1.5 months, and 3 months post-randomization using experience sampling method (ESM) and self-report questionnaires. Primary outcomes included symptoms of emotional distress (DASS-21+ESM) and fertility-related quality of life (FertiQoL). Secondary outcomes assessed repetitive negative thinking (PTQ), self-compassion (SCS-SF), and mindfulness skills (CHIME-SF+ESM). App usage was evaluated through app-tracking. RESULTS: Multilevel analysis showed no significant improvement in primary outcomes. However, the MoMiFer-app significantly enhanced self-compassion and mindfulness skills, as assessed by self-report questionnaires. A significant condition×time effect was observed for mindfulness skills at 1.5 months (T1; p = .02) and 3 months (T2; p = .02), and for self-compassion at 3 months (T2; p = .006). No effect was observed on repetitive negative thinking. The app was rated as good quality, but nearly half of the participants (47%) practiced mindfulness with the app once a week or less. CONCLUSIONS: Online mindfulness-based interventions can be valuable in fertility care providing easily accessible low-intensive mental support, even if they do not directly improve emotional distress or quality of life in the short term. The trial's timing during the COVID-19 pandemic and low app usage may have influenced outcomes. Further research on potential stressors and ways to increase user adherence is needed to better understand the app's impact.
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2025-10
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infertility, emotional distress, quality of life, mindfulness, mobile mindfulness app
Citation
Boedt, T, Willaert, N, Fong, S L, Dancet, E, Raes, F & Van der Gucht, K 2025, 'Stand-alone mobile mindfulness app for people experiencing infertility : A pilot randomised controlled trial (MoMiFer-RCT)', Psychologica Belgica, vol. 65, no. 1, pp. 202-216. https://doi.org/10.5334/pb.1375