The effects of the Calm app on heart rate, blood pressure and mood states

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if there is a reduction in resting HR, BP and an increase in positive mood states following a 4-week meditation intervention using The Calm App. This information is valuable as it can determine if meditation could be used as a supplemental intervention to medication and lifestyle changes to reduce resting HR, BP, and stress (by increasing positive mood states). Methods: Ten young, healthy, and recreationally active individuals served as subjects. Resting HR, SBP, DBP and mood states were assessed pretesting, after a 4-week-control period, and after using the Calm App for 4-weeks prior to going to bed. Moods states were assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. Results & Conclusion: No significant differences in resting HR, systolic and diastolic BP, or mood states were found between pretesting values, control values, and post Calm App intervention values. There was tendency for total mood disturbance, tension, fatigue, and confusion scores to be lower following the Calm App intervention, but scores were also lower following the 4-week control period. This indicates that reductions could not be contributed to meditation through The Calm App.