None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This randomised controlled trial aims to evaluate a self-paced online training program called ‘Agile Mind’, designed to support the wellbeing of Emergency Service Workers and protect against common symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The program was developed based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, an evidence-based psychotherapy intervention that is used to increase psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility is the ability to accept uncomfortable situations and respond in ways that align with personal values, and was chosen to be the focus of Agile Mind due to previous research suggesting that it is protective against the development of mental health conditions (especially PTSD). The research questions that the trial seeks to address are whether Agile Mind is relevant and suitable for an emergency service worker population, and whether it leads to changes in this population's reported wellbeing, mental health symptoms, resilience, psychological flexibility, and work performance. To assess the scientific effects of Agile Mind, it will be compared against another a self-paced online training program called 'Wellbeing' (designed for the general working population), as well as a Waitlist control group that will not receive access to a program until later in the study.
Interventions
Participants will be randomised into one of three conditions: (1) the intervention condition (Agile Mind), (2) the comparator intervention condition (Wellbeing), or (3) the control group (Waitlist Control).
The intervention is a self-paced online training program called 'Agile Mind', designed to support the wellbeing of emergency service workers and tailored to their experiences. It was co-designed by occupational mental health experts, clinical psychologists, and a collaborative working group
Participants will be randomised into one of three conditions: (1) the intervention condition (Agile Mind), (2) the comparator intervention condition (Wellbeing), or (3) the control group (Waitlist Control). The intervention is a self-paced online training program called 'Agile Mind', designed to support the wellbeing of emergency service workers and tailored to their experiences. It was co-designed by occupational mental health experts, clinical psychologists, and a collaborative working group with lived experience as emergency service workers. The content of Agile Mind was based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, an evidence-based psychotherapy intervention that is used to increase psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility is the ability to accept uncomfortable situations and respond in ways that align with personal values, and was chosen to be the focus of Agile Mind due to previous research suggesting that it is protective against the development of mental health conditions (especially PTSD). Agile Mind contains 4 modules, with each one containing psychoeducational videos, breathing and grounding exercises, along with written reflection activities: • Module 1 - Building an Agile Mind: Introduces the concept of psychological flexibility and its important role in maintaining wellbeing in emergency service work. Also presents an overview of the critical elements of psychological flexibility that will be covered in more detail in the subsequent modules, which include being present, becoming open, and valued action. • Module 2 - Staying Present in the Here and Now: Teaches emergency service workers how to apply different present-moment awareness skills both during and after their shifts. • Module 3 - Opening Up to Difficult Experiences: Discusses the impact of psychological fusion, how to apply de-fusion techniques, and the importance of accepting difficult thoughts and experiences instead of avoiding them. • Module 4 - Taking Action Based on Your Values: Teaches the difference between values and goals, setting value-based SMART goals, and dealing with conflicting values in emergency service work. Each module will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. One module is to be completed each week over four consecutive weeks, and participants will be encouraged to practise the skills covered in the previous module before moving on to the next one. Data on adherence and usage of the intervention will be collected via the program platform and will include modules started, completed, and time in program.
Sponsors
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Participants will need to meet the following criteria: 1. Aged over 18 years. 2. Currently working or volunteering (or have previously worked or volunteered) within an emergency service agency (e.g. Police, Fire services, Ambulance, Rescue services). 3. Screening indicates either ‘None-minimal’, ‘Mild’, or ‘Moderate’ symptoms of depression, demonstrated by a score of 14 or less on the Patient Health Questionnaire. 4. Screening indicates either ‘Minimal’, ‘Mild’, or ‘Moderate’ symptoms of anxiety, demonstrated by a score of 14 or less on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale. 5. Screening indicates unlikely PTSD, demonstrated by scoring less than 3 for all items within each of the three symptom clusters on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 8-item scale.
Exclusion criteria
1. Screening indicates either ‘Moderately Severe’ or ‘Severe’ symptoms of depression, demonstrated by a score of 15 or more on the Patient Health Questionnaire). 2. Screening indicates ‘Severe’ symptoms of anxiety, as indicated by a score of 15 or more on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale. 3. Screening indicates likely PTSD, demonstrated by scoring a minimum of 3 on at least one item in each of the three symptom clusters on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 8-item scale. Participants who indicate moderately severe-severe depression, severe anxiety, or likely PTSD will be provided with recommended care options and details for support services, including face-to-face/telehealth treatment with clinical psychologists.
Outcome results
None listed