Meditation program to help firefighters with stress
Reducing Psychological Distress in Fire Fighters With an Asynchronous App- Based Meditation Intervention
This study is testing if a 10-day meditation program on a smartphone app can help firefighters feel less stressed and anxious compared to a health education program.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 192 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Arizona Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tucson, Arizona) |
| Trial ID | NCT06518616 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-day meditation intervention delivered via a smartphone app to reduce psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, among career firefighters. The study will compare the meditation intervention to an active attention control, which consists of a health education program also delivered through a smartphone app. Psychological distress will be assessed at multiple time points: before the intervention, immediately after, and at 30 days and 3 months post-intervention. The study will enroll 160 firefighters, with additional participants to account for potential dropouts.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are career firefighters aged 18 or older who can speak and understand English and own a compatible smartphone.
Not a fit: Patients with a diagnosis requiring corticosteroids or those with significant prior meditation experience in the last four years may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce psychological distress in firefighters, improving their mental health and overall well-being.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results using mindfulness and meditation interventions for reducing psychological distress, suggesting this approach may be effective.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1) currently employed as a career firefighter, 2) 18 or older, 3) speak and understand English, and 4) own a smartphone (iPhone or Android) able to download and run the intervention apps. Exclusionary factors: 1) diagnosis of an illness requiring use of corticosteroids (e.g., asthma), and 2) have ongoing or past regular meditation experience in the last 4 years (i.e. more than two meditation session \[completed or attempted\] per year either with a group or individually), as determined by the PI.
Where this trial is running
Tucson, Arizona
- University of Arizona — Tucson, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Thaddeus Pace, PhD — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Thaddeus Pace, PhD
- Email: twwpace@arizona.edu
- Phone: 5206263520
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.