STEPS - Stress Training and Engagement Via Phone-Based Systems

Summary

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

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Equa

Participants will be randomly assigned to a 14-unit smartphone meditation program group that involves completing a 2-10 minute daily guided practice on their phones. Participants complete 14 units of mindfulness meditation curriculum that consists of learning and practicing techniques to improve concentration, sensory clarity, and equanimity (Equa meditation app). Physiological measures will be tracked throughout the duration of lessons.

BEHAVIORAL

Feature-Enhanced Equa Training Program

Participants will be randomly assigned to complete a 14-unit smartphone-delivered guided training program consisting of brief daily lessons lasting approximately 2-10 minutes. Lessons are delivered through the Equa mobile application and focus on the development and practice of mindfulness skills designed to support concentration, awareness, and emotional well-being. Physiological data will be collected during lesson participation using smartphone sensors to characterize participant responses during guided activities. This program version includes additional in-app features designed to provide personalized visual information following lesson completion.

BEHAVIORAL

Stress Management Training

The CC program, called R\&R, is a well matched and previously validated digital stress management training. R\&R program lessons will focus on the development of three coping effectiveness skills: (a) thoughtful reflection; (b) reappraisal and reframing past and anticipated stressful events; and (c) problem solving, such as analyzing and solving personal problems.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

  collaborator OTHER

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• Equa Health

  lead INDUSTRY

Principal Investigators

• David Creswell, Ph.D. · Equa Health

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-17

Primary Completion

2027-07-31

Completion

2027-07-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations