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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06582927

Mindfulness Training for First Responders

The present study evaluates the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Attention Training on measures targeting cognitive abilities and emotional well-being in first responders.

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Key information

Conditions

Burnout Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Burnout, Psychological Stress, Psychological

Age range

18 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals who are between 18 and 75 years of age
  • Individuals who are fluent English speakers
  • Individuals who are able to adequately and independently use electronic devices, such as a laptop, computer, or tablet, and have Internet connection
  • Individuals who are willing and able to consent to participate in the study
  • Participants in all phases of the study must be individuals who are affiliated with the Los Angeles County Fire Department peer support group.

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals with an active and untreated mental health issue and/or hospitalization for psychological/mental health issues within the past month

Treatment and study plan

Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT)

Behavioral

MBAT is an evidence-based 8-hour mindfulness program that comprises 4 central topics and associated practices. The concentration topic introduces participants to mindfulness "basics," including discussion of focused attention and mind wandering. The body awareness theme involves the cultivation of greater self-awareness, and the development of equanimity. The open monitoring theme emphasizes awareness of and receptivity to changing experiences and moments of uncertainty. The theme of connection addresses leadership and group cohesion, and the cultivation of kindness and connection with others.

The course content and materials in the present study will entail the foundational MBAT curriculum and other related content delivered virtually over Zoom but will consist of 8, 1-hour sessions delivered across 8 consecutive weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in sustained attention

    Time frame: Baseline to week 11

    The Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) is used to assess attentional performance and mind wandering (i.e., off-task thinking which is typically self-generated and compromises the performance of the task at hand). The task uses a continuous performance paradigm involving button presses to frequently presented nontargets (numbers 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) but requires the participants to withhold their motor response to the infrequent target (number 3). Withholding responses only to infrequent targets encourages a pre-potent response and mind wandering. Real-time subjective experience of mind wandering during SART is assessed through experience-sampling probes randomly presented throughout the task.

  2. Change in resilience

    Time frame: Baseline to week 11

    Resilience is assessed via the 6-item Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). The scores range from 6 to 30, with a higher score indicating a higher level of resilience.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in decentering

    Time frame: Baseline to week 11

    Decentering is assessed via the 11-item decentering sub-scale of the experience questionnaire (EQ-D). The decentering score ranges from 1 to 55, with a higher score indicating a higher level of decentering.

  2. Change in positive affect

    Time frame: Baseline to week 11

    Positive Affect is assessed with the 5-item positive sub-scale from Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). PANAS Positive has a range of scores from 5 to 25, with a higher score indicating a higher positive mood.

  3. Change in negative affect

    Time frame: Baseline to week 11

    Negative Affect is assessed with the 5-item negative sub-scale from Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-10). PANAS Negative has a range of scores from 5 to 25, with a higher score indicating a higher negative mood.

  4. Change in perceived stress

    Time frame: Baseline to week 11

    Perceived stress is assessed with the 4-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4). PSS-4 has a range of scores from 0 to 16, with a higher score indicating a higher level of perceived stress.

  5. Change in burnout

    Time frame: Baseline to week 11

    Burnout is assessed with the 12-item Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT-12). BAT-12 has a range of score from 1 to 5, with a higher score indicated a higher level of burnout.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Miami

Other

Collaborators

  • Unlikely Collaborators Inc.

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 3, 2024
Registry last updated
May 15, 2026

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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