The Efficacy of a Smartphone-Based App on Stress Reduction: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Stress management in the workplace is essential for a healthy mental and physical state. Due to technological advancements, individually tailored therapy and online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are on the rise. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the efficacy of a smartphone app based on third-wave CBT tailored to an individual. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 126 participants who were divided into 2 groups. The intervention group used the smartphone app BetterLife for 10 weeks, while the control group was placed on a waiting list for the same duration. The Perceived Stress Scale–10 (PSS), Korean Utrecht Work Engagement Scale–9 (UWES), World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL), Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered at baseline and after 10 weeks to both groups. RESULTS: Of the 126 participants, 11 dropped out during the trial. A 2-way repeated measure analysis of covariance was conducted, controlling for baseline BDI. There were greater improvements in PSS (F=24.33, P<.001, η(2)=0.17) and UWESK scores (F=8.32, P=.0046, η(2)=0.06) in the intervention group than in the control group. WHOQOL scores exhibited statistically significant improvement in the intervention group in the overall quality of life (F=8.19, P=.0049, η(2)=0.06), physical health (F=8.87, P=.003, η(2)=0.07), psychological health (F=13.32, P<.001, η(2)=0.10), social relationships (F=19.43, P<.001, η(2)=0.14), and environmental domains (F=10.14, P=.002, η(2)=0.08) but not overall health (F=1.68, P=.20). BDI (F=7.17, P=.008, η(2)=0.06) and BAI (F=6.00, P=.02, η(2)=0.05) showed a statistically significant improvement in the intervention group, but this significance did not survive the Bonferroni correction (P<.005). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that smartphone-based CBT is a viable option for reducing stress in the workplace. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service KCT0003231; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/15137