Roos CR, Kiluk B, Carroll KM, et al. Development and initial testing of mindful journey: a digital mindfulness-based intervention for promoting recovery from Substance use disorder. Ann Med. 2024;56(1):2315228. doi:10.1080/07853890.2024.2315228
This article provides a detailed explanation of the development process and initial acceptability testing of ‘Mindful Journey’. Mindful Journey is a digital mindfulness-based intervention that uses mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to promote long-term recovery for individuals with substance use disorder. The intervention navigates users through fifteen sequential modules focusing on riding the wave of recovery and emotion. The modules contain information, practice activities, and guided sessions. This article details phase 1 and phase 2 of the initial acceptability testing of Mindful Journey. In Phase 1, participants (n=5) were asked to complete one example module in a laboratory setting. After completing the module, research staff conducted semi-structured interviews to assess the features of the module, method of delivery, and additional items like the presented characters. Participants also completed a written survey to evaluate the module’s ease of usability. In Phase 1, the acceptability ratings and qualitative feedback were positive. Participants rated the module favorably across several usability categories (average score in each category = 4, where 5 is the highest ‘agree’ resp. They did not feel the module was too long, slow, or fast (average score = 1.8/5 indicating disagreement). In Phase 2, participants (n=5) completed all fifteen modules at home, on their schedule, and provided feedback (the same questions as Phase 1) after completing each module, and at the end of all fifteen modules. In general, participants reported high satisfaction with the modules and that they learned new skills and concepts from the modules. Overall, participants liked the video and audio style of content presentation, as well as the variability in lesions. Future research should expand on these preliminary