The Mindful Media Project
Condition: Problematic Internet Use
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is an emerging mental health issue. Research consistently
      shows that university students are disproportionately vulnerable to experiencing PIU, and
      that this can be linked with both poorer academic performance and mental health outcomes.
      Despite these adverse consequences, there has been no research to date on treatments for
      those experiencing PIU.

      Preliminary research suggests that one promising candidate is mindfulness meditation.
      Mindfulness is a popular form of brain training that helps develop an ability to sit with
      uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, break compulsive behavioural patterns and make more
      mindful behavioural choices. The current proof-of-concept study aims to investigate the
      clinical potential of mindfulness meditation in reducing PIU severity for Australian
      university students who endorse moderate to severe PIU symptoms.
    

Detailed description: 
      Problematic Use of the Internet (PUI) is an umbrella term encapsulating excessive and
      uncontrolled engagement with internet-related activities. PIU is increasingly recognised as
      an emerging mental health issue. It is characterised by a perceived loss of control over
      internet use despite repeated attempts to regulate it, and excessive internet-specific
      preoccupations or urges that result in distress and life impairment. Research consistently
      shows that university students are disproportionately vulnerable to experiencing PIU, and
      that this can be linked with both poorer academic performance and mental health outcomes.

      Despite these adverse consequences, there has been no research to date on treatments for
      those experiencing PIU. Preliminary research suggests that one promising candidate for
      addressing PIU is mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness is a popular form of brain training
      that helps develop an ability to sit with uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, break
      compulsive behavioural patterns and make more mindful behavioural choices.

      The current study is a proof of principal investigation. The primary aim is to evaluate the
      efficacy of a brief mindfulness meditation intervention for PIU among Australian university
      students who endorse moderate to severe PIU. The study will investigate a 30 day combination
      of daily meditation practice using the Headspace Inc supported by weekly online group
      meditation tuition. In order to support participant engagement in the meditation practices, a
      range of behaviour change techniques will be applied. A secondary is to evaluation the
      efficacy of these behaviour change techniques in support engagement.
    

Intervention name(s): Mindfulness Meditation
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): 30-day mediation program comprising:
Weekly group mediation tuition and support sessions delivered online. Sessions will last 45-60 minutes and focus on mindfulness meditation theory and techniques, and trouble shooting barriers to practice and engagement.
10-minutes of daily mindfulness meditation practice with the Headspace Inc app.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment