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Post Traumatic Stress DisorderHAZMATNCT04909216

Mindful Attention Training Workshop for Firefighters

A study testing Mindful Attention Workshop in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Mindfulness, run by University of Houston at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The overarching goal of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of Mindful Attention Training (MAT), a novel mindfulness-based intervention that is specifically developed for firefighters. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Mindful Attention Workshop
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
82 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
5 May 2021to 14 Apr 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • ≥ 18 years of age
  • Current employment as a firefighter with the Houston Fire Department

Who cannot join

  • Persons who are not actively employed in the Houston Fire Department (e.g. former firefighters, retired firefighters)
  • Current imminent risk of suicidality and/or homicidality (i.e., past month ideation with intent or plan)
  • Inability to provide verbal or written consent
  • Study personnel will not recruit or screen for individuals who fall into the following categories: pregnant women, prisoners, students for whom study personnel have direct access to/influence on grades, or economically and/or educationally disadvantaged persons

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Trauma and Stress Studies Center

    Houston, Texas, 77204

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Healthy Action Zone - Mindful Attention Training: A Mindfulness-Based Workshop for Firefighters

The overarching goal of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of Mindful Attention Training (MAT), a novel mindfulness-based intervention that is specifically developed for firefighters. This project is designed to improve the health of firefighters, an integral, essential component of our national and international communities. Moreover, the study aims to promote health service psychologists by enhancing our contributions to the mental healthcare of firefighters, an understudied and underserved segment of the population by virtue of their service to our communities. This study therefore has significant potential to identify, develop, and promote an effective model of quality, evidence-based mental health promotion and illness prevention by integrating health service psychology into the fire service.

Read the detailed description

Firefighters are repeatedly exposed to traumatic and stressful situations, increasing their vulnerability for the development of various psychological symptoms and disorders. As many as 32.4% of firefighters meet criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with significantly more experiencing significant subclinical PTSD symptoms. Approximately 22% of firefighters are also at risk for depression, 46.8% reported serious suicidal ideation, and 15.5% reported having made a suicide attempt during heir firefighter tenure6. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) among firefighters is estimated at approximately 50%, nearly twice that of the general population.

Given the chronically stressful and potentially traumatic nature of the firefighting profession and the high rates of psychological disturbances among firefighters, the development of specialized mental health promotion and illness prevention programs for this vulnerable population is a priority. Mindfulness, generally defined as bringing one's full attention to the present moment and taking a stance of nonjudgmental acceptance to the ongoing flow of sensations, thoughts, and/or emotional states, has significant clinical relevance to the prevention and treatment of various psychological conditions. Mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated efficacy with regard to various psychological symptoms, including PTSD, depression, and alcohol use. In a military context, mindful attention training has shown promise in terms of reducing the impact of combat on psychological health. However, no specialized mindfulness-based interventions exist for firefighters.

The overarching goal of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of Mindful Attention Training (MAT), a novel mindfulness-based intervention that is specifically developed for firefighters. This project is designed to improve the health of firefighters, an integral, essential component of our national and international communities. Moreover, the study aims to promote health service psychologists by enhancing our contributions to the mental healthcare of firefighters, an understudied and underserved segment of the population by virtue of their service to our communities. This study therefore has significant potential to identify, develop, and promote an effective model of quality, evidence-based mental health promotion and illness prevention by integrating health service psychology into the fire service.

Aim 1: To evaluate the efficacy of the Mindful Attention Training (MAT) workshop, as compared to waitlist comparison ("as usual" condition), on mental health promotion among firefighters, as defined by: self-reported levels of (1a) mindful attention and awareness, (1b) nonjudgmental acceptance, and (1c) nonreactivity at each time point.

Aim 2: To evaluate the efficacy of the MAT workshop, as compared to waitlist, on psychological 'illness' prevention among firefighters, as defined by: self-reported symptom severity of PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and alcohol use at each time point.

Aim 3: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the MAT workshop, as compared to waitlist, as defined by: (1) firefighters' self-reported helpfulness of the workshop and (2) firefighters' self-reported satisfaction ratings of the workshop.

Being tested
Mindful Attention Workshop
Medical subject headings
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Wounds and Injuries, Mental Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Mindful Attention WorkshopOther

    The 90-minute workshop will include a 15-minute break and include up to 15 participants. The workshop will be led by peer support staff, fire department psychologists, and/or fire department doctoral psychology practicum students. Each workshop will be facilitate by up to 3 workshop leaders. The workshop will provide (1) psychoeducation regarding common mental health concerns among firefighters, (2) introduction to the concept of mindful attention, why it is relevant to firefighters, and how it can prevent or decrease mental health symptoms, (3) 5 experiential mindful attention training exercises, and (4) discussion. Workshop co-leaders will teach 5 mindful attention exercises, and firefighters will practice each exercise and then engage in discussion about their experiences and provide feedback regarding the utility of the exercise for them personally and for firefighters, generally.

Study groups in NCT04909216
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Mindful Attention WorkshopExperimental50 participants will be randomized to the Mindful Attention Training (MAT) workshop. The 90-minute workshop will be conducted in group, online format.
Receives: Other: Mindful Attention Workshop
Waitlist ControlNo intervention50 participants will be randomized to the waitlist control condition ("as usual" condition).

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Changes in mindfulness

    To evaluate the efficacy of the Mindful Attention Training (MAT) workshop by examining self-reported levels of (1) nonjudgmental acceptance, (2) nonreactivity as well as (3) psychological resilience and (4) self-compassion at each time point using the following measure:

    • Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ; Baer et al., 2006): 39-item measure that assesses a participant's capacity for the following five factors: observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging of inner experience, and non-reactivity to inner experience.

    Measured: Administered at each of the following timepoints: baseline, 1-week follow-up, 2-week follow-up, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

  2. Changes in mindful attention

    To evaluate the efficacy of the Mindful Attention Training (MAT) workshop by examining self-reported levels of mindful attention and awareness at each time point using the following measure:

    • Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS; Brown \& Ryan, 2003): 15-item scale assessing a participant's capacity for mindful attention, a key component of mindfulness.

    Measured: Administered at each of the following timepoints: baseline, 1-week follow-up, 2-week follow-up, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

  3. Changes in PTSD symptom severity

    To evaluate the efficacy of the Mindful Attention Training (MAT) workshop on the symptom severity of PTSD at each time point using the following measure:

    • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (PCL-5): 20-item self-report measure that assesses the 20 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) symptoms of PTSD over the past month.

    Measured: Administered at each of the following timepoints: baseline, 1-week follow-up, 2-week follow-up, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

  4. Changes in hazardous drinking patterns

    To evaluate the efficacy of the Mindful Attention Training (MAT) workshop on the alcohol use and alcohol use severity at each time point using the following measure:

    • Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): 10-item screening measurement to assess any hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption during the past year.

    Measured: Administered at each of the following timepoints: baseline, 1-week follow-up, 2-week follow-up, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

  5. Changes in depressive symptoms

    To evaluate the efficacy of the Mindful Attention Training (MAT) workshop on the symptom severity of depression at each time point using the following measure:

    • Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale (ODSIS): 5 item measure assessing for past week depression-related symptoms.

    Measured: Administered at each of the following timepoints: baseline, 1-week follow-up, 2-week follow-up, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

  6. Changes in suicidal thoughts

    To evaluate the efficacy of the Mindful Attention Training (MAT) workshop on the severity and presence of suicidal thoughts at each time point using the following measure:

    • Beck Suicide Scale-5 (BSS-5): 5-item measure assessing the presence and intensity of suicidal thoughts.

    Measured: Administered at each of the following timepoints: baseline, 1-week follow-up, 2-week follow-up, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

  7. Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the Mindful Attention Training (MAT) workshop

    To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the MAT workshop, as compared to waitlist, as defined by: (1) firefighters' self-reported helpfulness of the workshop and (2) firefighters' self-reported efficacy ratings of the workshop using the following measure:

    • Post-MAT Workshop Questionnaire (Post-MAT): 10-item questionnaire assessing the degree to which participants found the workshop helpful and tolerable.

    Measured: Administered at 1-week follow-up

  8. Changes in anxiety symptoms

    To evaluate the efficacy of the Mindful Attention Training (MAT) workshop on the symptom severity of anxiety at each time point using the following measure:

    • Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS): 5 item measure assessing for past week anxiety-related symptoms.

    Measured: Administered at each of the following timepoints: baseline, 1-week follow-up, 2-week follow-up, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Evaluate group dynamics

    To evaluate the group dynamics of the MAT workshop using the following measure:

    • Group Evaluation Scale (GES; Joyce, 2005): 7-item measure assessing how the participant felt while participating in the group, particularly comfortability and sense of being understood by other group members.

    Measured: Administered at 1-week follow-up

  2. Evaluate group cohesion

    To evaluate the cohesion of each group in the MAT workshop using the following measure:

    • Group Cohesion Questionnaire (GCQ; MacKenzie, 1983): 12-item measure assessing a participant's view of the cohesion of the group and the quality of the group dynamic.

    Measured: Administered at 1-week follow-up

  3. Evaluate occupational stress

    To evaluate the influence of the Mindful Attention Training (MAT) workshop on self-reported occupational stress levels at each time point using the following measure:

    • The Sources of Occupational Stress (SOOS-14): 14-item self-report measure used to assess levels of occupational stress (i.e., harmful physical and psychological responses that occur when job requirements do not align with the worker's abilities, resources, and/or needs) among firefighters.

    Measured: Administered at each of the following timepoints: baseline, 1-week follow-up, 2-week follow-up, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted1 Jun 2021
  2. Study start5 May 2021
  3. Primary completion14 Apr 2023
  4. Study completion14 Apr 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
82 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04909216
Sponsor's protocol ID
STUDY00002213
Acronym
HAZMAT
Status last verified
May 2023
First submitted
19 May 2021
Last updated
9 May 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Mindful Attention Workshop in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Mindfulness, run by University of Houston at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 May 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Changes in mindfulness (time frame: Administered at each of the following timepoints: baseline, 1-week follow-up, 2-week follow-up, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 May 2023.

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