STEPS - Stress Training and Engagement Via Phone-Based Systems
Purpose
This study will evaluate engagement, usability, and psychological outcomes associated with participation in smartphone-based stress management or mindfulness training program among young adults. The study will compare multiple versions of a digital training program delivered through the Equa mobile application. Participants will be individually randomized to one of several app-based training programs using a stratified randomization procedure. Each program consists of guided daily lessons completed over a 14-day period and is designed to support stress management and well-being through structured skill development activities. Primary objectives include evaluating user satisfaction and usability of the digital platform and assessing changes in mindfulness-related skills and mental distress over time. Participants will: Complete surveys assessing demographics and psychological well-being at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. Complete a 14-day smartphone-delivered training program consisting of guided lessons while physiological data are collected using wearable sensors. Some participants may receive additional in-app features designed to support personalized learning or engagement with training lessons. Some participants will complete brief questionnaires before and after selected lessons to assess short-term changes associated with lesson participation.
Conditions
- Psychological Distress
- Mindfulness Skills
- Usability Satisfaction
- Program Engagement
- Loneliness
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Between 18 Years and 30 Years
- Eligible Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- Ages 18-30 years of Age - Fluent in English - Psychological distress - Interested in completing smartphone guided training sessions remotely for 14 days - Willing and able to wear physiological monitoring equipment - Willing to be randomized to one of three conditions - Located in the United States
Exclusion Criteria
- Currently pregnant - Current or previous diagnosis with psychosis or schizophrenia
Study Design
- Phase
- N/A
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel Assignment
- Intervention Model Description
- Investigators will evaluate whether differences in digital training program features are associated with changes in user satisfaction, engagement, and psychological outcomes. Participants will be individually randomized using a stratified 2:2:1 allocation sequence to one of several matched 14-day app-based training programs delivered through the Equa platform. Programs are comparable in branding, lesson length, platform navigation, and user experience, and include guided daily lessons focused on stress management and well-being skill development. During lesson participation, physiological data will be collected using smartphone sensors to characterize participant responses during training activities. Some program versions include additional in-app features designed to provide personalized information or feedback following lesson completion. Comparisons across program versions will evaluate usability, engagement, and changes in psychological well-being.
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
- Masking Description
- A psychometrician and statistician on our team who will remain blind to participant study condition during data collection and analysis. All study investigators/staff will be blinded to condition assignment until randomization occurs; at this time only the participant and the project manager will be aware of participant's study condition. All other study personnel will remain blinded and conduct all remaining study assessments.
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
|---|---|---|
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Experimental Feature-Enhanced Equa Training |
Participants will complete a 14-day smartphone-delivered training program consisting of guided lessons through the Equa application. During lesson participation, physiological data will be collected using smartphone sensors to characterize participant responses during training activities. Participants assigned to this program version will receive additional in-app features designed to provide personalized information related to lesson engagement or training progress following lesson completion. |
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Active Comparator Standard Equa Training Program |
Participants will complete a 14-day smartphone-delivered training program consisting of guided lessons delivered through the Equa application. During lesson participation, physiological data will be collected using smartphone sensors to characterize participant responses during training activities. This program version provides the standard lesson experience within the application without additional personalized feedback features following lesson completion. |
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Active Comparator Stress Management Training Program |
Participants will complete a 14-day smartphone-delivered training program focused on stress management and well-being skill development delivered through the Equa application. Lessons emphasize the development of evidence-informed coping skills, including thoughtful reflection, cognitive reappraisal of stressful experiences, and structured problem-solving strategies aimed at supporting adaptive responses to everyday stressors. Guided lessons are delivered through the same application interface and include comparable levels of interactivity and engagement activities as other study programs. |
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Recruiting Locations
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
More Details
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- Equa Health
Detailed Description
Investigators will recruit young adults to participate in a study examining usability, engagement, and psychological outcomes associated with smartphone-based stress management or mindfulness training programs. Participants will be informed that the study examines physiological responses during guided digital training lessons. At study entry, participants will complete an online survey assessing demographics, prior meditation and stress-management experience, and psychological well-being. Participants will complete similar questionnaires at post-intervention and one-month follow-up, including measures of user satisfaction and usability of the digital training platform using standardized instruments (e.g., System Usability Scale and Mobile App Rating Scale). Participants will be individually randomized to one of several 14-day app-based training programs delivered through the Equa platform. During training lessons, physiological data (e.g., motion-derived signals) will be collected using smartphone sensors to characterize physiological responses associated with lesson participation. Some participants may receive additional in-app features designed to provide personalized information or feedback related to lesson engagement or training progress. These features are delivered automatically through the application following lesson completion. Physiological and questionnaire measures will allow investigators to evaluate usability, engagement, and changes in mindfulness-related skills and psychological well-being associated with participation in the training programs.