Feasibility and preliminary effects of an individually customizable ecological momentary stress management intervention: A mixed methods pilot study

While many interventions are known to reduce stress, evidence-based stress management interventions that can be applied during stressful events in everyday life are lacking. This pilot study investigated an ecological momentary intervention for everyday stress management, comprising eight modules (e.g., relaxation, music listening), in terms of its feasibility, its immediate effects following stressful events, and its pre- to post-intervention effects. Over 45 days, undergraduate psychology students ( N = 27, 21.6 ± 1.9 years, 74 % female) completed momentary assessments four times daily and whenever they experienced stress. During the 35-day intervention period (days 6–40), participants were intra-individually randomized to either use the intervention (5–20 min intervention use) or not use the intervention (continuing with usual activities) after indicating a stressful event. Additionally, they used the intervention as needed in their daily lives. The feasibility of the intervention was indicated by no drop-outs, high usage rates and positive reports in the acceptability questionnaire and semi-structured group interviews, while lower compliance with momentary assessments indicates reduced feasibility of the study design. After using the intervention in response to stressful events, participants reported significantly decreased stress and negative affect. Moreover, participants showed improvements in stress, mindfulness, and self-compassion post-intervention. Our pilot findings suggest that the intervention is feasible and indicate reductions in event-related and daily stress in everyday life.