Title : The impact of technology-assisted meditation on physiological stress markers in young adults
Abstract:
Emerging technologies may enhance the efficacy of mindfulness practices by facilitating physiological stress reduction. The present randomized cohort study will examine the impact of three technology-assisted meditation modalities—augmented reality (Apple Vision Pro), wearable technology (Apple Watch), and a mobile application (Balance meditation app)—on biometric indicators of health in young adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the three intervention groups using a computer-generated randomization sequence to ensure allocation concealment and reduce selection bias. Each participant will complete one introductory visit followed by three study visits, with one day between sessions. During each visit, biometric data—including Heart Rate (HR), Blood Pressure (BP), Respiratory Rate (RR), Heart Rate Variability (HRV), skin temperature, and blood oxygen saturation—will be collected pre- and post-meditation. HR will additionally be monitored during meditation. The primary aim is to assess statistically significant differences in biometric responses across the three conditions. Secondary analyses will explore correlations between biometric variability and the type of meditation technology used. Findings may contribute to the development of technology-enhanced mindfulness interventions for physiological stress management.
