Mindfulness on the Palm of Your Hand: A Systematic Review of Mobile Mindfulness Apps and Their Effects on Well-Being, Compassion, and Aggression in Non-Clinical Adults

Background/Objectives: Mindfulness has emerged as a widely studied approach for promoting psychological well-being, evolving from its contemplative origins into a secular, evidence-based intervention. In recent years, the proliferation of mobile applications has enabled the delivery of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in accessible and scalable formats. This systematic review examined the efficacy of MBIs delivered via mobile applications in non-clinical adult populations, with a focus on well-being, compassion, and aggression. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across six databases (Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, SciELO, and Dialnet) for studies published from 2014 onward, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 23 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Additionally, a risk-of-bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane RoB-2 tool. Results: Results indicated small to moderate improvements in well-being outcomes, including positive affect, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Evidence regarding compassion was limited and mixed, while no studies addressing aggression met the inclusion criteria. Additionally, substantial variability in adherence rates and a high overall risk of bias were observed. Conclusions: These findings suggest that mindfulness applications may represent accessible tools for enhancing individual well-being; however, their effect on broader socio-emotional functioning remains unclear. Further research should prioritize more rigorous study designs, including active control conditions and behavioral outcome measures, to better establish their effectiveness and underlying mechanisms.