Neurofeedback-assisted mindfulness showed no clear anxiety advantage in this trial
Young adults receiving the program did not show statistically significant psychological or sleep improvements over the control group at follow-up.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Adding neurofeedback-assisted mindfulness to a brief workshop did not produce a statistically significant advantage on anxiety scores. Depression, stress, smartphone-related problems, and insomnia also showed no clear between-group differences. These results leave benefit uncertain: a nonsignificant result does not demonstrate that the program and control are equivalent, or that every possible benefit is absent.
Only the number completing the study is supplied; the initial randomized sample is not stated. The anxiety estimate spans both negative and positive differences, and abstract-only access limits assessment of how the trial was conducted.
What researchers found
Mean difference in DASS-21 anxiety score
Intervention minus control at three months; the difference was not statistically significant.
What was compared
Everyone received a workshop about responsible technology use. The intervention group additionally received mindfulness sessions assisted by neurofeedback, so the key comparison was whether that added program improved the measured outcomes.
Participation and benefit are separate outcomes
Program adherence was described as high, suggesting participants could engage with the sessions. That finding can inform questions about feasibility, while the anxiety and other symptom results leave effectiveness uncertain.
The original publication
Efficacy of neurofeedback-assisted mindfulness for anxiety and nomophobia in Spanish young adults: a randomized controlled trial.
Fernandez-Crespo M, Rihuete-Galve MI, Sanchez-Aguadero N et al.
Front Public Health · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41409706
- Record checked
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