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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05754164

Attention Control Training for the Prevention of PTSD in Firefighters

The study aimed to examine the effect of Attention Control Training (ACT) intervention on reducing PTSD symptoms in firefighters. The study was a randomized controlled trial carried out in Kunming, China, and involved the recruitment of 180 active firefighters as participants. The intervention lasted for an 8-week duration, during which participants participated in ACT exercises delivered through a smartphone application.

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Key information

Conditions

PTSD Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kunming Training Corps of the National Fire and Rescue Administration

Kunming, Yunnan, China

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • being an active firefighter and aged between 18 and 50
  • with no history of severe PTSD

Exclusion criteria

  • having suicidal ideation or intent
  • having an active psychotic disorder other than PTSD
  • prior participation in a cognitive-behavioral intervention
  • concurrent participation in another study.

Treatment and study plan

Attention Control Training

Behavioral

Mobile app-based attention control training is an effective training method that can help people improve their ability to control attention. It is generally recommended to undergo 4 weeks of training, with 3-4 sessions per week and one day between each session. The specific operational method of this training may vary depending on different applications, but generally, training is presented in the form of a series of tasks. These tasks may involve aspects such as focusing attention, inhibiting interference, and reacting quickly.

Primary outcomes

  1. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version

    Time frame: Baseline

    The PCL-C scale (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version) is a self-report questionnaire that assesses symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults who have experienced a traumatic event. The PCL-C is based on the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD and includes 17 items that correspond to the three symptom clusters of PTSD: re-experiencing, avoidance/numbing, and hyperarousal.

    The PCL-C scale is widely used in both clinical and research settings to screen for and assess PTSD symptoms. It is a quick and easy-to-administer tool that can help healthcare professionals identify individuals who may need further evaluation and treatment for PTSD. The PCL-C can also be used to monitor the severity of PTSD symptoms over time and to evaluate the effectiveness of PTSD treatments.

  2. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version

    Time frame: Immediately Post-intervention

    The PCL-C scale (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version) is a self-report questionnaire that assesses symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults who have experienced a traumatic event. The PCL-C is based on the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD and includes 17 items that correspond to the three symptom clusters of PTSD: re-experiencing, avoidance/numbing, and hyperarousal.

    The PCL-C scale is widely used in both clinical and research settings to screen for and assess PTSD symptoms. It is a quick and easy-to-administer tool that can help healthcare professionals identify individuals who may need further evaluation and treatment for PTSD. The PCL-C can also be used to monitor the severity of PTSD symptoms over time and to evaluate the effectiveness of PTSD treatments.

  3. Patient Health Questionnaire-9

    Time frame: Baseline

    The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized to assess symptoms of depression. The PHQ-9 is a selfreport questionnaire comprising 9 items, with a score range of 0-27, measuring depression-related symptoms experienced in the past two weeks

  4. Patient Health Questionnaire-9

    Time frame: Immediately Post-intervention

    The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized to assess symptoms of depression. The PHQ-9 is a selfreport questionnaire comprising 9 items, with a score range of 0-27, measuring depression-related symptoms experienced in the past two weeks

  5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale

    Time frame: Baseline

    The GAD-7 scale (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) is a self-report questionnaire used to assess symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. The GAD-7 includes seven items that correspond to the DSM-IV criteria for GAD, such as feeling nervous, anxious or on edge, worrying too much, and having trouble relaxing.

    The GAD-7 is a brief and easy-to-use tool that has been validated in various settings, including primary care, psychiatric clinics, and community-based samples. It is designed to help healthcare professionals screen for and assess the severity of GAD symptoms in their patients.

  6. Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale

    Time frame: Immediately Post-intervention

    The GAD-7 scale (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) is a self-report questionnaire used to assess symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. The GAD-7 includes seven items that correspond to the DSM-IV criteria for GAD, such as feeling nervous, anxious or on edge, worrying too much, and having trouble relaxing.

    The GAD-7 is a brief and easy-to-use tool that has been validated in various settings, including primary care, psychiatric clinics, and community-based samples. It is designed to help healthcare professionals screen for and assess the severity of GAD symptoms in their patients.

  7. Attention Bias Score

    Time frame: Baseline

    To quantify attention bias, response times (RTs) were analyzed in accordance with the established procedure to calculate the attention bias score (ABS). Trials characterized by inaccurate responses or RTs of exceptional brevity (<150ms) or prolonged duration (>1200ms) were disregarded. The computation of attention bias entailed determining the discrepancy between the mean RT in response to relatively positive stimuli and the mean RT in response to relatively negative stimuli. A preference for happy faces was indicated by an average RT for happy facial expressions that were shorter than the average RT for neutral or sad facial expressions.

  8. Attention Bias Score

    Time frame: Immediately Post-Intervention

    To quantify attention bias, response times (RTs) were analyzed in accordance with the established procedure to calculate the attention bias score (ABS). Trials characterized by inaccurate responses or RTs of exceptional brevity (<150ms) or prolonged duration (>1200ms) were disregarded. The computation of attention bias entailed determining the discrepancy between the mean RT in response to relatively positive stimuli and the mean RT in response to relatively negative stimuli. A preference for happy faces was indicated by an average RT for happy facial expressions that were shorter than the average RT for neutral or sad facial expressions.

  9. Attention Bias Variability

    Time frame: Baseline

    To quantify attention-bias variability (ABV), the experimental data were divided into 8 segments, and attention-bias scores were computed for each segment. Subsequently, the standard deviation of attention-bias scores across segments was determined, and this value was divided by all trials ABS to account for ABS variability.

  10. Attention Bias Variability

    Time frame: Immediately Post-Intervention

    To quantify attention-bias variability (ABV), the experimental data were divided into 8 segments, and attention-bias scores were computed for each segment. Subsequently, the standard deviation of attention-bias scores across segments was determined, and this value was divided by all trials ABS to account for ABS variability.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Adai Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Other

Collaborators

  • Kungming Training Corps of National Fire and Rescue Administration

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Mar 3, 2023
Registry last updated
Mar 3, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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