Screen reduction trial reports better stress scores in medical students
A short randomized trial reported improvements with reduced screen use, especially alongside offline activities, but omitted numerical effect sizes and long-term outcomes.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The abstract reports the largest improvements in stress and anxiety scores, heart-rate variability, and blood markers among students combining screen reduction with alternative activities. Screen reduction alone showed more modest changes; controls showed no significant change. Without numerical effects or detailed between-group comparisons, the added benefit of activities remains uncertain.
The authors cite brief follow-up, a sample from only the participating colleges, no blinding, and compliance measures based on self-report and app data. The abstract omits sample size and numerical outcome estimates.
A package of activities
Alternative activities included breathing or mindfulness, walking, journaling, and time with peers in person. The study tested a package of options, so its reported results cannot identify which activity contributed most.
Short-term responses
Questionnaire scores reportedly moved into less severe categories, alongside physiological changes. These are short-term measured responses; the abstract does not establish lasting mental-health improvement or show that changes in blood markers prevent illness.
The original publication
From screens to serenity: evaluating the effect of digital detox on mental and physiological health.
Farrukh S, Reza S, Babar S et al.
BMC Med Educ · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41462197
- Record checked
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