Using Digital Technology to Increase Integration of Meditation into Daily Life: The Case for Meditation-Based Ecological Momentary Interventions

Background: Meditation-based interventions (MBIs) hold promise for enhancing health and well-being. However, substantial barriers impede engagement in traditional forms of these interventions. Innovations in mobile health offer an avenue for overcoming barriers associated with traditional MBIs. A particular mobile health innovation – Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMIs) – has the potential to enhance the accessibility, acceptability, and efficacy of MBIs. However, there is limited research on EMIs integrated into MBIs (i.e., meditation-based [MB]-EMIs). This conceptual paper aims to make a theoretical case for MB-EMIs to highlight their potential and to inform future studies on MB-EMIs. Methods: We discuss the historical context, conceptual foundations, motivation for adoption, and empirical evidence supporting the potential of EMIs. Additionally, we explore the conceptual intersections between EMIs and both traditional contemplative sources and contemporary secular MBIs. Furthermore, we describe empirical studies on MB-EMIs. Findings/Results: Studies have demonstrated diverse approaches to integrating EMIs into MBIs. These studies exhibit variability in key dimensions, including the MBI with which the EMI is integrated and the characteristics of the EMI itself. MB-EMIs have therapeutic potential, but there are many important scientific questions about them that have not yet been answered. Conclusions: Future studies should continue to examine the impact and safety of meditation-based EMIs, leverage innovations in passive data collection, explore user experiences, develop these interventions for and with marginalized populations, and emphasize informal meditation practice. As the field matures, systematic reviews or meta-analyses will be essential to map the full landscape of MB-EMIs.