Stress Resilience Training System

Summary

The Stress Resilience Training System (SRTS) program is a stress reduction and resilience building system that blends cognitive training to anticipate the effects of stress with advanced biofeedback to mitigate stress effects and aftereffects, using a game-based learning framework on an iPad platform.

The proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness of the SRTS program at reducing perceived stress, PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, sleep quality, coping, attrition and class/operational performance among United States Navy service members.

Conditions

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Stress Resilience Training System (SRTS)

SRTS training provides both cognitive learning and training in a scientifically-designed stress resilience training approach designed to minimize the adverse effects of stress and also enhance its positive effects. In summary, the SRTS training comprises: (1) Cognitive rules and mental exercises based on expert knowledge and research; (2) Biofeedback stress control exercises based on proven HRV (Heart Rate Variability) algorithms developed by the Institute of HeartMath; and (3) E-Learning presentation of games and simulations to motivate younger trainees. The training is designed to familiarize participants with the iPad and the SRTS program. Participants will be told how to use the system and how often to use the system. SRTS program participants will each be assigned an iPad to take home with them and practice the techniques for a period of two months.

BEHAVIORAL

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

Progressive muscle relaxation is the systematic tensing and relaxing of 16 different muscle groups, starting with one's toes and ending with one's head (Jacobson, 1938; Conrad \& Roth, 2007). PMR users are instructed to inhale as they tense the muscles and exhale as they release the tension. Participants will participate in a two-hour PMR training. PMR participants will be given iPADs with a video recording that guides the user through working each muscle group while instructing them to focus on positive thoughts and feelings and breathing techniques. PMR program participants will each be assigned an iPad to take home with them and practice the techniques for a period of two months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Office of Naval Research (ONR)

  collaborator FED

• Perceptronics Solutions

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego

  lead FED

Principal Investigators

• Scott L Johnston, PhD · U.S. Navy, Medical Service Corps, Naval Center for Combat & Operational Stress Control (NCCOSC)

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2012-10-31

Primary Completion

2015-05-31

Completion

2015-05-31