PR98220

SINGAPORE, Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Regular use of a mental wellness app solution combined with Fitbit wearable

devices to track activity and sleep can have a positive impact on users'

physical and mental health, according to a new pilot study involving Singapore

teachers.

After a challenging time for teachers which saw working hours increase and

physical and mental health decline[1], leading B2B mental health and wellness

platform MindFi (https://mindfi.co/) undertook the first-of-its-kind study in

Singapore in partnership with Fitbit (now part of Google) to investigate the

impact of wellness technologies, including the MindFi app and Fitbit wearables,

can have on a user's health.

The 10-week study integrated the MindFi app with Fitbit devices to track the

progress and lifestyle changes of the participants, including activity level,

sleep and heart rate, against user-reported metrics and question responses such

as mood and general wellness. The study showed the benefits of using Fitbit to

track and understand lifestyle data, in conjunction with the MindFi mental

health solution to empower users to self-manage their overall health and

wellbeing.

Key findings from the study include the following:

-Teachers showed signs of anxiety and stress before the school term.

Approaching a new school term, 61% of the participants reported that they were

suffering from high levels of emotional exhaustion while 53% were having

moderate to high stress levels.

-The combined MindFi and Fitbit solution led to an improvement in overall

well-being. Close to two-thirds (60%) of the teachers who used the integrated

MindFi and Fitbit solution regularly saw significant improvement in their

overall wellbeing, whilst 42% improved their physical well-being through the

course of the study. 54% reported better sleep quality and 45% showed an

improvement in their resting heart rate.

-Regular use of Fitbit and mental wellness mobile apps had a positive impact on

a user's mental health. 58% of the participants who used the integrated MindFi

and Fitbit solution in the study reported a decrease in depressive symptoms,

with an average reduction of 26% in assessment scores.

-The study reported reduced burnout by enabling teachers to improve their

coping abilities. 57% of the teachers who took part in the study saw an

improvement in their ability to cope with their workload, enabling them to be

more productive at work and at home.

-Teachers recommend the use of wellness technologies to their colleagues. 74%

of teachers agreed that use of a mental health app helped them to manage their

mental wellbeing and 66% of the participants have reported that their Fitbit

device had the same impact. Having benefited from the intervention, 68% of

teachers reported that they would recommend the combined MindFi and Fitbit

solution to colleagues.

"There is no health without mental health. The exciting results of our pilot

study shows that physical and mental health are closely related. Specifically,

it shows that the future of mental health is to integrate it into our daily

lifestyles via devices such as wearables." said MIndFi Founder & CEO Bjorn Lee.

"As strong advocates of mental health in the workplace, we believe that this

pilot study emphasises the change that business leaders can make in their human

resources (HR) policies. Today, many human resources professionals already

include wearables in their suite of employee benefits and more are beginning to

embrace mental health and wellness apps. We are excited to work with Fitbit as

a partner to champion a holistic vision of wellbeing in the workplace, in order

to help employees get healthier, be more productive and happier in their

careers and lives."

Steve Morley, Director of Fitbit Health Solutions International and APAC said,

"We are very encouraged with the results from this pilot study with MindFi in

Singapore. With the increase in stress and burnout levels in the last two

years, these results are a further proof of the great role wearable technology

and wellness solutions can play in driving positive behavior change in

populations. We look forward to working together with MindFi in extending this

partnership across Singapore and APAC".

Mental health has been one of the growing concerns among populations in the

last two years. We are very encouraged with the results of the pilot with

MindFi in Singapore. Teachers were at the front end of managing and helping

students keep us with the curriculum. Driving positive behaviour change is at

the core of Fitbit's mission.

Teachers were chosen as the study subject following an alarming nationwide

survey

(https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/more-than-80-of-teac

hers-say-the-pandemic-has-hurt-their-mental-health) by the Singapore Counseling

Centre in 2021 which reported more than 80 percent of teachers' mental health

had been negatively impacted after two challenging years during the pandemic as

a result of dealing with an increase in working hours and responsibilities.

Participating teachers' mental health and wellbeing were assessed using

clinically validated questionnaires, including the WHO-5 before the study to

set benchmarks and compared to post-intervention reported outcomes. The users'

responses and the data obtained from MindFi app and Fitbit were then analysed

and interpreted by the MindFi' research team that includes resident

psychologists.

About MindFi

MindFi is Asia Pacific's leading mental health technology provider. Our unique

community-driven approach to employee benefits and assistance programs (EAP)

produces measurable results that last. MindFi's innovative mobile application

facilitates personalized 24/7 Self Care, collective Group Care and Private Care

via a global network of certified care providers. Employees improve and recover

faster together with group-based coaching and counseling, team-based wellbeing

challenges and science-based analytics. Today, MindFi is the mental wellness

provider of choice for Fortune 500 companies, fast growing startups, and

multinational corporations in Asia Pacific. For more information, visit

www.mindfi.co.

About Fitbit

Fitbit helps people lead healthier, more active lives by empowering them with

data, inspiration and guidance to reach their goals. Fitbit designs products

and experiences that track and provide motivation for everyday health and

fitness. Fitbit products are carried in approximately 39,000 retail stores and

in 100+ countries around the globe. Fitbit's diverse line of innovative and

popular products include Fitbit Sense™

(https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/products/smartwatches/sense), the Fitbit

Versa™

(https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/products/smartwatches/versa3?sku=511BKBK)

family of smartwatches, Fitbit Charge 4™

(https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/products/trackers/charge4?sku=417BKBK),

Fitbit Inspire 2™

(https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/products/trackers/inspire2?sku=418BKBK), and

Fitbit Ace 3™ (https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/products/trackers/ace3)

trackers and Fitbit Aria Air smart scale. The Fitbit platform delivers

personalized experiences, insights and guidance through leading software and

interactive tools, including the Fitbit app, and Fitbit OS for smartwatches.

Fitbit's paid subscription service, Fitbit Premium

(https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/fitbit-premium), provides advanced analytics

and actionable guidance in the Fitbit app to help you reach your health and

fitness goals. Fitbit Premium + Health Coaching

(https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/products/services/premium.html) provides

one-on-one virtual coaching with expert health coaches and personalized plans

based on your Fitbit data. Fitbit Health Solutions

(https://healthsolutions.fitbit.com/) develops health and wellness solutions

designed to help increase engagement, improve health outcomes, and drive a

positive return for employers, health plans and health systems.

[1]

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/more-than-80-of-teachers-say-the-pandemic-has-hurt-their-mental-health

Source: MindFi