Can an internet app cut college-student stress?
In 150 stressed college students, a 7-week internet- and app-based program (StudiCare Stress) reduced perceived stress versus waitlist (d=0.69), with 69% vs 35% stress responders (NNT=2.89).
Source
Effectiveness of an Internet- and App-Based Intervention for College Students With Elevated Stress: Randomized Controlled Trial
Study at a glance
- Design
- RCT — RCT of internet- and app-based StudiCare Stress with feedback-on-demand vs waitlist control (both with treatment as usual) in German college students
- N
- N=150 · 150 students with PSS-4 ≥8 randomised 75:75; posttest at 7 weeks, follow-up at 3 months
- Population
- College students with elevated perceived stress (PSS-4 ≥8)
- Outcome
- Perceived stress (PSS-4) at 7 weeks; secondary mental-health, academic, and help-seeking outcomes
Structured fields used in claim comparison tables when every cited study has a complete layer.
What they did
Randomised 150 students (PSS-4 ≥8) to StudiCare Stress with feedback on demand or waitlist (both had TAU), and measured stress, anxiety, depression, and academic outcomes at 7 weeks and 3 months.
What they found
Posttreatment effects vs waitlist: stress d=0.69, anxiety d=0.76, depression d=0.63, plus small academic gains. 52/75 (69%) vs 26/75 (35%) responded on stress. 76.8% were first-time help-seekers; 77.3% had clinically relevant depression at baseline. Effects held at 3 months.
The limits
What it doesn't show
Waitlist controls and TAU access cannot isolate app effects from expectancy or extra care; 3-month dropout was higher in the intervention arm, so long-term claims are weaker.
Key terms
- StudiCare Stress
- Internet- and mobile-based guided self-help stress intervention tested in this RCT.
- PSS-4
- 4-item Perceived Stress Scale; entry required score ≥8; primary outcome at 7 weeks.
- Feedback on demand
- Optional written coach support rather than weekly scheduled sessions.
- Waitlist control
- Delayed-access control with full treatment-as-usual; can inflate apparent effects.
- NNT
- Number needed to treat; 2.89 for stress response at posttest.
- CES-D
- Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; subgroup threshold >17.
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Randomised N was:
Common questions
Who enrolled?
150 college students with PSS-4 ≥8 (75 per arm).
Primary endpoint?
Perceived stress (PSS-4) after 7 weeks.
Stress effect size?
d=0.69 (95% CI 0.36–1.02) vs waitlist.
How many were new help-seekers?
106/150 (76.8%).
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