Effects of Using Mobile App on Perceived Stress During COVID-19 Pandemic

Study Summary

Due to the COVID-19 global health pandemic, many people are likely experiencing increased stress. Many obstetrics and gynecology patients are additionally experiencing increased stress due to the healthcare changes the COVID-19 pandemic has caused including delayed or canceled elective surgeries, visitor restrictions, and telemedicine visits instead of in person clinic visits. Mindfulness meditation is a self-management strategy that can be utilized by anyone to assist with the management of stress. Mindfulness meditation mobile applications, such as the "Calm" app, can be used to help manage stress, especially during this uncertain time. The investigators propose a prospective randomized controlled trial evaluating perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbance in the investigators outpatient OB/Gyn patients at Banner Women's Institute, with the use of a 30 day trial of the mindfulness meditation app, "Calm." All patients would ultimately receive a 30 day free trial of the mobile meditation app, however the intervention group would receive the 30-day free trial immediately and the control group would receive the 30-day free trial after the study period which is 30 days after enrollment. The investigators additionally want to evaluate the feasibility of using the mobile app, including looking at adherence to use of the app and patient satisfaction with use of the app.

Primary Outcome

Validated perceived stress scale survey, 10 questions in length rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (very often). Scores are obtained by reversing responses (e.g., 0 = 4, 1 = 3, 2 = 2, 3 = 1 \& 4 = 0) to the four positively stated items (items 4, 5, 7, \& 8) and then summing across all scale items. Individual scores can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress.

Interventions

• OTHER "Calm" is a mindfulness meditation mobile app