JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the level of anxiety among Indonesian senior high school teachers. Following the SPIRIT 2013 Statement, this protocol describes a feasibility study of a brief mindfulness-based mobile app (BM-MA) for Indonesian senior high school teachers experiencing anxiety and stress.

Objective:

The objectives of this study are 1) to evaluate the feasibility of BM-MA; 2) to examine the effects of using BM-MA on anxiety, stress, life satisfaction, self-efficacy, trait mindfulness, self-compassion, and physical and social dysfunction among the participants.

Methods:

A total of 60 Indonesian senior high school teachers were recruited for this study by the local stakeholder partners, namely Dinas Pendidikan Kepemudaan dan Olahraga Provinsi (Province Youth and Sports Office). Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (BM-MA) or a wait-list control group (CG) with a 1:1 ratio. The algorithm was specifically developed for permuted block randomization, whereby the sample size of participants is predetermined before the randomization process. Participants in the BM-MA condition were required to engage in mindfulness practices using the app for 10 to 20 minutes per day, for 3 weeks. All participants were assessed with a battery of self-report measures at baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up. Validated scales used to measure the outcome variables of interest included: Satisfaction with Life Scale, Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale , Self-Compassion Scale- Short-Form , Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, General Health Questionnaire-12, and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. The practicality and acceptability of the mobile application will be evaluated using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire–8 and structured interviews. Data from structure interviews will be analyzed with deductive thematic analysis framework as the process of qualitative enquiry. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with group (intervention vs. control) as a between-subjects factor and time as a within-subjects factor (baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up) will be used to examine the effects of BM-MA on the outcome variables. The data will be analyzed using an intent-to-treat approach and published in accordance with the CONSORT recommendation.

Results:

The participants for this pilot RCT were recruited in December 2023 and this pilot trial was conducted from January through March 2024. Data analysis started in March through May 2024. The results of this study are expected to be published in December 2024. The trial registration of this protocol was submitted in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( registration number: ChiCTR2300068085; http://www.chictr.org.cn/registryen.aspx).

Conclusions:

This study aims to determine the feasibility and efficacy of BM-MA, a digital mental health intervention developed using an existing mindfulness-based application, and assess its potential for widespread use. Clinical Trial: The trial registration of this protocol was submitted in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( registration number: ChiCTR2300068085; http://www.chictr.org.cn/registryen.aspx).