MindfulSpot: A mindfulness mobile app for people dealing with infertility

Abstract

IntroductionInfertility is not only a medical condition and its impact in mental health is well established. Although most couples facing fertility problems and the demands of medical treatment are able to adjust, some of them may show psychological difficulties with clinical relevance, such as depression and anxiety. The Mindfulness Based Program for Infertility (MBPI) is a group intervention designed for infertile women and data from its efficacy study revealed impact in depressive symptoms reduction as well as in internal and external shame, entrapment and defeat. Based on the MBPI, a mindfulness app targeting infertile patients was developed – the MindfulSpot.AimsThis study addresses the MindfulSpot development.MethodsThe MindfulSpot is a prototype mobile app, which seeks to offer the chance of practicing mindfulness in a comfortable and accessible way. This app covers informative audio and written texts. The audio contents correspond to mindfulness formal practices and suggestions for informal practice, making possible its use throughout different moments of the day. Beyond the practices mentioned above, users are invited to explore the informative menu, including information on the impact that infertility may have in several aspects of the patients’ lives.ResultsThe efficacy of the MindfulSpot is still under analysis and results are expected to be available soon.ConclusionsThe MindfulSpot was designed as a medium for training mindfulness skills and it includes useful information regarding specific aspects of the emotional impact of infertility. Additionally to its independent use, it may also be used as a support tool of the MBPI.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.