Digital Lifestyle Intervention for Mental Health Among Migrants: Randomized Controlled Trial

Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety are major contributors to the global burden of disease and are closely linked to lifestyle factors including physical inactivity, poor sleep, unhealthy diet, and substance use. Migrant populations report higher levels of psychological distress than the general population while simultaneously being less likely to seek mental health care due to structural and cultural barriers. This treatment gap highlights the need for accessible preventive interventions adapted to the needs of migrant populations. Lifestyle interventions targeting physical activity, sleep, diet, and social engagement have shown promising effects in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Delivering such interventions digitally offers advantages including scalability, cost-efficiency, and improved accessibility for populations facing barriers to traditional healthcare. The present study will evaluate a culturally and linguistically adapted digital lifestyle intervention for migrants living in Sweden who experience moderate psychological distress. The intervention is delivered over eight weeks through a secure internet platform and includes psychoeducation and behavioral strategies based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles. Participants receive text-based guidance from trained psychologists. The study will begin with a nested pilot study (N=30) to evaluate feasibility and acceptability, followed by a randomized controlled trial including approximately 240 participants randomized to either the lifestyle intervention or a wait-list control group. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, post-treatment, 2-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up.