HEAL ABC

Name: HEAL ABC
Author: University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Los Angeles

VALIDATED

Initial evidence from research studies

For:General Public & EnthusiastsPatients & Caregivers

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App Summary

HEAL ABC provides guided mindfulness meditations designed to help individuals, including hospitalized patients awaiting heart transplant, manage psychological stress. A preliminary study (N=20) of patients with advanced heart failure found that daily use of a brief, app-based mindfulness intervention led to significant reductions in stress and anxiety and an increase in resilience over four weeks. The associated research concludes that this type of nurse-led, evidence-based mindfulness practice is a feasible option that holds promise for improving patient outcomes.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

HEAL ABC delivers a library of guided mindfulness meditation audio sessions designed for independent practice. Developed with content from UCLA Mindful, the system facilitates brief, structured sessions of approximately 12 minutes. The interface provides audio-based exercises intended to mitigate psychological distress and promote mental well-being. The core mechanism involves guided practice in mindfulness techniques, with content available in English and multiple translated versions to support accessibility across diverse user populations.

Evidence & Research Context

A preliminary pilot study (N=20) evaluated the app's use as part of a brief mindfulness intervention for hospitalized patients with advanced heart failure.
The intervention was associated with statistically significant reductions in perceived stress and anxiety from baseline to 4 weeks (P=.001).
A significant increase in psychological resilience was also documented over the same period (P=.001).
This single-group, pretest-posttest study indicated the intervention was feasible and acceptable within this acute care setting; larger trials are needed to confirm efficacy.

Intended Use & Scope

This tool is designed for the general public and for potential integration into clinical care plans under professional guidance. It functions as an adjunctive intervention to mitigate symptoms of stress and anxiety and to build resilience. The app is not a standalone treatment for psychiatric disorders and does not replace professional mental healthcare. Users experiencing severe symptoms should consult a qualified clinician.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Effectiveness/Outcome Study

App-Based Mindfulness Intervention to Improve Psychological Outcomes in Pretransplant Patients With Heart Failure

Vandenbogaart et al. (2023) · Critical Care Nurse

Significantly reduced stress and anxiety while increasing resilience in hospitalized heart failure patients.

BackgroundPatients hospitalized with life-threatening conditions experience psychological stressors that can lead to anxiety and poor patient outcomes. Mindfulness stress reduction interventions have been shown to decrease stress and anxiety with sustained effect.Local ProblemIn a single center's cardiac care units, only pharmacological stress reduction options were embedded in the daily care plan.MethodsThis project evaluated the feasibility

In the Media

UCLA Mindful App - UCLA Mindful

UCLA Health developed the UCLA Mindful app to help users practice mindfulness meditation anywhere with guided instruction, using research-backed techniques to manage stress and improve well-being. The app teaches users to develop "moment-to-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, body sensations and environment" while promoting "an attitude of openness, curiosity, and a willingness to be with our experience." Scientific research shows the app's mindfulness approach can help manage stress-related physical conditions, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve overall physical health.

UclahealthRead article

Her path to sharing mindfulness at UCLA began with meeting the Dalai Lama

UCLA's Diana Winston developed mindfulness practices to serve as "an act of service and a way of cultivating a more peaceful world," using secular meditation techniques informed by her Buddhist training. Winston, who was ordained as a Buddhist nun in Myanmar where she meditated 16-to-18 hours daily, has shared mindfulness at UCLA since 2006 after the Dalai Lama characterized her approach as connecting meditation with social justice. Her path began when she heard a teaching in India that made her realize "This explains my life," leading her to dive deeply into meditation practice.

UclahealthRead article