Meditation Apps for Stress Management in Black Women

This randomized remote pilot study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of two meditation and mindfulness applications among approximately 40 Black women ages 35-64 experiencing moderate to high stress. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to Exhale™, a culturally adapted meditation app designed for Black women, or Levelhead, a general mindfulness app. Participants will be asked to complete at least one session using their assigned app per day, lasting approximately 5 minutes or longer, at least 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Participants will complete online questionnaires at baseline and after the 4-week intervention. Daily Remind messages and weekly study check-ins will support engagement. Outcomes include recruitment, retention, adherence, assessment completion, satisfaction, usability, perceived stress, race-based stress, sleep, depression, anxiety, cultural relevance, and brief participant feedback.

Inclusion Criteria: * Self-identifies as a Black or African American woman * Ages 35-64 years * Able to read and speak English * Perceived Stress Scale-10 screening score greater than 14 * Has access to a smartphone or tablet with internet access * Willing to complete remote baseline and post-intervention assessments * Willing to attempt the assigned app-based practice for 4 weeks * Willing to receive study communications Exclusion Criteria: * Regular use of meditation or mindfulness applications within the previous 6 months * Any prior use of Exhale™ * Significant hearing impairment that prevents engagement with audio-based application content * Self-reported difficulty navigating smartphone applications that would prevent participation