Date of Award

Spring 5-27-2023

Document Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Joseph Burkard DNSc, CRNA, AACN Health Policy Fellow

Second Advisor

Kevin Maxwell PhD, DNP, FNP-BC, RN

Abstract

Now more than ever mental health is in the spotlight on a global scale. Professionals from a variety of different disciplines are being encouraged to evaluate several different coping techniques in order combat the magnitude of societal crisis being discovered post-pandemic. At the top the list is Mindfulness-based interventions. The concept of mindfulness practices is nothing new. Evidence suggests it has existed for thousands of years; however, it is getting more notoriety in the past decade due to increasing expansion of mobile-based applications. These types of technology driven applications offer an easily accessible, convenient, and trackable way for individuals to actively participate in mindfulness techniques that offer a wide variety of benefits, especially pertaining to improved health outcomes. The purpose of this evidence-based project (EBP) was to start a pilot study that examines the effects of mindfulness programs delivered via smartphone applications, and use of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) tool to evaluate improved mindfulness which is linked to stress reduction and improve health outcomes. Participants used the mindfulness meditation mobile application “Smiling Mind” to meditate for a short period of time every day for two weeks (14 days). The MAAS questionnaires were completed pre- and post-intervention. At the end of the fourteen days, participants showed increased mindfulness scores. Participants reported their perception of having increased mindfulness attributed to less stress and other positive outcomes. Several participants showed desire to continue using the mobile application after the completion of the study.

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