Clinician Supported Mobile App to Reduce Mental Health Symptoms Among World Trade Center Responders in Florida

Summary

This study examines mental health challenges among World Trade Center (WTC) General Responders, who continue to experience significant psychological trauma from the WTC collapse. PTSD and depression remain common, and nearly six percent of the WTC Health Program (WTCHP) cohort now resides in Florida. Many identify as Hispanic, underscoring the need for linguistically appropriate services. Research shows that remotely delivered, clinician-supported mobile applications can reduce mental health symptoms.

PTSD Coach, developed by the Veterans Administration, is a free self-managed mobile app designed to help users manage PTSD symptoms through tools such as relaxation exercises, calming self-talk, and sleep hygiene practices. Reviews of the app have found it feasible, acceptable, and effective in reducing PTSD symptoms.

Clinician-Supported PTSD Coach was designed for individuals unlikely to use the app independently. This model pairs the PTSD Coach app with four remote 20-30-minute clinician sessions over eight weeks. Studies with Veterans demonstrate reductions in PTSD and depression, higher satisfaction, and increased treatment engagement compared with usual care. However, these interventions have not yet been tested with WTC General Responders or Hispanic populations.

This study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of Clinician-Supported PTSD Coach in reducing PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances among English- and Spanish-speaking WTC General Responders in Florida. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) Clinician-Supported PTSD Coach, (2) Self-Managed PTSD Coach, or (3) Waitlist Control. Assessments at 8 and 12 weeks will measure symptom reductions and examine engagement, satisfaction, and barriers within the app-based conditions. It is expected that both interventions will reduce symptoms, with greater improvements in the clinician-supported condition.

This project addresses a critical gap in evidence-based mental health treatments for dispersed WTC Responders and responds to the WTCHP Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee's call for more research on mental health interventions. By focusing on Hispanic and Spanish-speaking Responders-an understudied group-this study may support the development of scalable, app-based interventions that can be deployed nationally to meet the mental health needs of WTC responders and survivors.

Conditions

• PTSD Symptoms
• Anxiety Symptoms
• Depression Symptoms
• Sleep Disturbance

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Clinician Supported PTSD Coach

Combines self-managed PTSD Coach application with four 20-30 minute sessions delivered by a clinician. The app includes modules on learning about PTSD, self-assessment, symptom management, and finding support.

BEHAVIORAL

Self Managed PTSD Coach

A widely available mobile application designed to help individuals manage PTSD symptoms available in English and Spanish.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  collaborator FED

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH/CDC)

  collaborator FED

• Florida International University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mark Macgowan, PhD · Florida International University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-02-21

Primary Completion

2026-06-30

Completion

2026-07-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations