A preliminary study using a mobile app as a dance/movement therapy intervention to reduce anxiety and enhance the mindfulness of adolescents in South Korea

This study examined the effects of a smartphone app-based dance/movement therapy (DMT) on adolescents’ anxiety and mindful attention awareness. The participants were 60 middle school students in Seoul, Korea, randomly assigned to either an experimental (n = 30) or control (n = 30) group. The experimental group practiced lazy breathing ten times over two weeks using a smartphone application, whereas the control group received no treatment. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-X and Korean-Mindful Attention Awareness Scale were used for assessment. A comparison of pre-and post-test scores showed a statistically significant reduction in anxiety in the experimental group post-intervention; however, the control group showed no significant score change. Regarding mindful attention awareness, the experimental and control groups showed slight decreases; however, neither change was statistically significant. Thus, the smartphone app-based DMT can improve adolescents’ mental health while allowing them to address their anxiety in a personal space. In addition, this application benefits Korean students who may be ashamed of their mental health problems or afraid of stigma.