Integrating Wearable Biosensors and Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Stress Regulation among University Students: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

 With the growing academic pressure, there has been a great demand for easy-to-employ stress regulation strategies for university students. The impact of a 8-week mindfulness-based intervention with wearable biosensors was investigated using a convergent mixed methods design. 120 students from the university were randomly assigned to intervention and comparison groups. Quantitative data was obtained by perceived stress, mindfulness, emotional regulation, sleep measures, and resting heart rate, heart-rate variability, physical activity and sleep duration measures obtained from wearable technology. Twenty intervention participants participated in semi-structured interviews, addressing acceptability, perceived benefits, adherence, and concerns about the device. The intervention group demonstrated significant decreases in perceived stress and resting heart rate, along with increases in mindfulness, emotional regulation, heart-rate variability and sleep duration. Higher HRV (heart-rate variability), longer sleep and more mindfulness were related to lower stress scores. These responses were reflected in better recognition of stress signals, calmer responses during academic pressure, and higher motivation as a result of physiological feedback in the interview. The primary challenges were discomfort with the device and struggling to perform independent practice. Wearable monitoring combined with mindfulness training was a feasible way to provide student mental health prevention. More research is required in larger, multisite studies with longer follow-up to validate the durability, generalisability and feasibility of implementation in university settings.