Master’s Thesis Presentation • Human-Computer Interaction • Mindless Scroll: Evaluating a Colouring App for Mindfulness

Please note: This master’s thesis presentation will take place in DC 3317 and online.

Saralin Zassman, Master’s candidate
David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science

Supervisors: Professors Daniel Vogel, Craig Kaplan

We design and evaluate Mindless Scroll, a mobile application for mindfulness that encourages a slow and deliberate approach to colouring. The app provides a visually immersive user experience in contrast to the majority of mindfulness-based mobile apps that focus on audio-based methods.

A five-day study evaluates the efficacy of the app in reducing anxiety and enhancing mindfulness. The results indicate that the app is capable of promoting a greater sense of mindfulness over time. Furthermore, the app showed similar results across several measures when compared to traditional structured colouring and existing MBMAs. All 28 participants expressed that they would use the app again, with a majority feeling more mindful after the study.

To attend this master’s thesis presentation in person, please go to DC 3317. You can also attend virtually using Zoom at https://uwaterloo.zoom.us/j/94424737797.