Plain-English translation of NCT04697966 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated ·
This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This research study is testing whether using the Headspace mindfulness app can help teenagers reduce rumination—the habit of getting stuck in repetitive negative thoughts. Researchers want to understand how mindfulness training actually works in the brain and who benefits most from it. You would use the app for several weeks while researchers track changes in your brain activity, attention, and thinking patterns through brain scans and daily check-ins on your phone.
Millions of teenagers are already using mindfulness apps to cope with anxiety and depression, but scientists don't yet know how these apps actually help or who they work best for. This study aims to fill that gap by understanding the brain mechanisms behind mindfulness training and identifying which teens are most likely to benefit.
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You would be randomly assigned to either use the Headspace mindfulness app or an active control app for several weeks. Before and after this period, you would visit the research center for a brain scan (fMRI) that takes images of your brain activity while you rest. You would also complete a short thinking task on a computer to measure your attention. Throughout the study, you would answer brief check-in questions on your phone about your mindfulness practice and thinking patterns. The entire study lasts about 4–6 weeks of participation.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 24, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States