None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to the efficacy of using an online platform to deliver a group-based physical activity intervention for first responders (police, fire and ambulance workers) and their partners/carers. By nature of their occupation which involves repeated exposure to potentially traumatic events, first responders are at a significantly increased risk of experiencing poor mental and physical health, including developing depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as premature cardiovascular disease. These health conditions are also associated with lower levels of physical activity and higher levels of sedentary behaviour. This study will recruit a convenience sample of self-identified sedentary first responders and their self-selected support partners to a 10-week PA program delivered through a private Facebook group. We will deliver education on pre-determined topics related to PA and diet and provide participants with an activity tracker (Fitbit). Peer support members from previous iterations of the intervention will also help deliver the content. Promoting PA among first-responders may help to reduce the burden of mental and physical ill health facing this underserviced population. Results may also have implications for the provision of PA in rural and remote settings.
Interventions
This study will recruit sedentary first responders and their chosen support partner to a 10-week, group based physical activity intervention delivered online through a private Facebook group.
All of the content for the current intervention has been informed based on the results and feedback from our pilot intervention. The research team will provide education on pre-determined weekly topics and facilitate discussion boards, e.g. goal setting, barriers and sedentary behaviour. Weekly content wi
This study will recruit sedentary first responders and their chosen support partner to a 10-week, group based physical activity intervention delivered online through a private Facebook group. All of the content for the current intervention has been informed based on the results and feedback from our pilot intervention. The research team will provide education on pre-determined weekly topics and facilitate discussion boards, e.g. goal setting, barriers and sedentary behaviour. Weekly content will include information, links to youtube videos, links to existing online recourses, images, step count competitions and discussion questions. These posts will all occur from the study generated account and the page will be checked by the facilitators at least once per day; Monday to Friday. Defined behaviour change techniques such as informing the behaviour-health link, barrier identification, general encouragement, instruction, self-monitoring, social support, specific goal setting and feedback will be incorporated into the program. Participants will also have the option to join a weekly group telehealth call. The facilitator will lead the discussion on the weekly topic for approximately 20 minutes and participants will be able to join in on the discussion and ask questions. There will be a follow up period of one month as well as month of data collection prior to the intervention where participants will just be required to complete questionnaires to obtain baseline data. This interrupted time series design will replace the need for a control group. The iterative development of this intervention has occurred through collaboration with project advisors with lived experience of working as a first responder, and of living with mental illness related to occupational trauma. They will act as peer support within the Facebook group, while the researchers (exercise physiologists, psychologists and a dietitian) will guide the group. In addition, two to three volunteers from the previous iterations of the program will be invited to the Facebook group to also act as peer support members. Their role will be to help deliver content and share their personal experiences with the program, bridging the gap between participants and facilitators.
Sponsors
UNSW
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
This research study is looking to recruit a convenience sample of i) former or current first responders, ii) aged 18-65 years, iii) currently inactive defined as engaging in less than 150 mins per week of moderate-vigorous physical activity per week, iv) cleared to participate in an exercise program (absence of any American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) absolute contraindications to exercise participation). Participants must also speak English, have internet access and an active Facebook account or be willing to create one. First responders must also nominate their support partner who may be any person with a close personal relationship to them eg. partner, family member, friend who have at least weekly in-person contact with each other. This person must also be between 18-65 years and be medically absent from any ACSM absolute contraindications to exercise.
Exclusion criteria
Although we will not specifically target those first responders with a diagnosed mental disorder, by nature of the target population, it is expected that a high proportion of the participants will be receiving treatment for a mental disorder. Severely depressed individuals or those experiencing frequent suicidal ideation at the outset will be excluded from the study and directed towards appropriate services in their community. Participants will be screened prior to commencement of the study and those who receive a score of >25 suggests the person is likely to have a severe mental disorder. Participants who score >25 and who are not receiving treatment or whose medications have changed in the past 4 weeks will be excluded and referred to a local health professional. Participants will also be screened with the physical activity vital sign and the ESSA pre-screening tool. First-responders who exceed 150mins of moderate-vigorous PA will be excluded and those who answer yes to any of the 7 ESSA pre-screening questions must get clearance to exercise from a general practitioner.
Outcome results
None listed