Stress Management Programs in Fire-fighters

Summary

Chronic stress at work is a public health problem increasing morbidity and mortality, especially in men. Among the men military populations, the firefighters of Paris (FFPs) are particularly exposed. To deal with this stress and to improve stress management is challenging. Psychological fitness is required to regulate emotions which improve effectiveness under stress and enhance recovery from stressful events. The heart coherence (HC) program uses feedback from a simple pulse sensor to reflect changes of the emotional/psychological state, and to learn how to reduce stress and stabilize emotions. Another kind of psychological fitness focuses on cognitive training to regulate emotions, with the use of techniques to optimize potential (TOP). The TOP consists of learning easy techniques in mental skills to improve cognitive-based problem-solving using respiration, relaxation, and visualization. Although never published in a peer-review journal, the procedure of TOP training is structured and standardized for individuals and groups, and is widely practiced in air traffic controllers, with apparently good effects.

Moreover, any event can be emotionally ambiguous, providing both negative and positive outcomes. The interpretation of such ambiguity is linked with an individual's emotional state, such as anxiety or mood. Individuals with a high level of trait anxiety are likely to interpret an event negatively.

However, no studies have compared the effect of HC or TOP in the perceived stress of FFPs. Nor have long-term effects of these stress management programs (SMP) been investigated. Furthermore, the influence of trait anxiety on stress levels in FFPs needs to be clarified. Finally, no trials have assessed levels of biomarkers stress following these SMP.

From these observations, we hypothesized that 1) young recruits aiming to become FFPs will be particularly exposed to stress, 2) SMP will be effective in reducing perceived stress, 3) SMP will mainly benefit FFPs who have high anxiety, and 4) the effects of SMP will lower levels of biomarkers of stress.

The aim of this randomized control trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of stress management programs on perceived stress (primary outcome variable), and on negative mood, mindfulness, and biomarkers of stress (secondary outcome variables) in FFPs. We also aim to investigate the influence of anxiety on the stress management programs effectiveness long-term.

Conditions

• Stress
• Anxiety

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

techniques to optimize potential (TOP)

The TOP consists of learning easy techniques in mental skills to improve cognitive-based problem-solving using respiration, relaxation, and visualization.

BEHAVIORAL

heart coherence (HC)

The heart coherence (HC) is based on the fact that the heart rhythm becomes more erratic with negative emotions such as anger and anxiety, and more ordered/coherent with sustained positive emotions such as appreciation, love, or compassion, leading to optimal performance and well-being. The HC program uses feedback from a simple pulse sensor to reflect changes of the emotional/psychological state, and to learn how to reduce stress and stabilize emotions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• French Defence Health Service

  lead OTHER_GOV

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SCREENING

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-09-30

Primary Completion

2013-09-30

Completion

2013-09-30

Countries

• France

Study Locations