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The Mindful Smartphone Use Study

Thriving in a Digital World: A Mindfulness-Based Pilot to Support Sleep and Mental Health in Teens

Who can join

Ages 13 to 19 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* Own a smartphone (iOS or Android)
* Can read, write, and speak in English due to the measurement and intervention delivered in English;
* Resides in the United States
* Experience mild to moderate levels of depression and/or anxiety symptoms, indicated by PHQ-8 (total score 5-14) and GAD-7 (total score higher than 5)
* Self-report problematic digital device use, defined as following:
* Self-report mobile phone use daily with \>4 hours on average on weekdays
* Self-report smartphone use in bed after 10pm ≥ 3 nights/week
* Say 'Yes' to 2 out of 5 statements regarding problematic phone use: (1) I have found myself engaged on my phone for longer periods of time than initially intended; (2) I have used my phone when I knew I intended to be sleeping or doing work/schoolwork; (3) When I do not use my phone for some time, I feel anxious, moody, or irritable; (4) I have found myself using my phone instead of spending time with people who are important to me and want to spend time with me; and (5) I have used my mobile phone to make myself feel better when I was feeling down

About the study

The goal of this clinical trial is to understand the feasibility and acceptability on a mindfulness-based intervention to address co-existing smartphone addiction and psychological distress among adolescents ages 13-19 self-reporting elevated levels of depression and/or anxiety symptoms and problematic digital phone use. The main questions it aims to answer are: (1) is Mindwire, a mindfulness-based intervention, feasible and acceptable in addressing co-existing smartphone addiction and psychological distress among adolescents; and (b) what are the mechanistic pathways, particularly the role of circadian rhythm, sleep quality, and emotion regulation, in phone use and psychological distress.

Participants will be in this research study for 3 months. After screening and onboarding, they will be asked to:

* participate in 18 days of the Mindwire program * answer a 45-60 minute online survey immediately before, immediately after, and approximately six weeks after the Mindwire program * participate in a 60-90 minute interview asking about their experience going through the program

What is being tested

• Mindwire (behavioral)

Sponsor: Brown University · Participants: 40 · Started: Oct 16, 2026

Contact the study team

• Global Mental Health and Flourishing Lab · Phone: 401-863-1899

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07892807

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Depression
• Anxiety

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Nov 15, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.