Testing a Wellness App for First Responders, Military Personnel and Veterans

Study Results

Results available

Outcome measurements, participant flow, baseline characteristics, and adverse events have been published for this study.

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

115 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-04-22

Study Completion Date

2024-10-01

Brief Summary

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The purpose of the research study is to trial a smart phone application, the GUIDE App, to better understand its impact on social connectedness, personal growth and mental health/wellness among first responders, soldiers, and veterans. The research team will also investigate workplace metrics (e.g., engagement and burnout), implementation outcomes and technical merit. The investigators plan to run a three-armed randomized waitlist pilot feasibility trial with up to 150 participants.

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Detailed Description

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There is an urgent need to address mental wellbeing, isolation, and burnout among first responders, military personnel and veterans. Research shows that these groups are at a greater risk for suicide, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general civilian population, and that their occupations make them more likely to feel isolation and burnout. Despite these risks, first responders, soldiers and veterans tend not to seek help due to stigma, time burden and other barriers to entry. The GUIDE App was designed with this population in mind. The lessons and exercises take only minutes to complete, and the group chats are anonymous, so users can share their thoughts with likeminded peers, without the stigma. In a 4-week pilot study with 16 participants from the Wilkes Barre Police Department, the GUIDE App showed promising results in promoting wellbeing, reducing anxiety and encouraging personal growth. This clinical trial builds off the pilot study. The investigators will use a three-armed randomized waitlist pilot feasibility trial with 150 participants (first responders, soldiers, and veterans) to test whether use of the GUIDE App will lead to increased social connectedness, personal growth, and mental health/wellbeing; and whether these outcomes will in turn increase work engagement and reduce burnout. The investigators will also investigate implementation outcomes (e.g., the feasibility of using the app) and technical merit (e.g., how user-friendly the app is).

Conditions

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Mental Health Wellness

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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GUIDE with incentives

Immediate access to the GUIDE App smartphone application for 4 weeks with the opportunity to earn additional compensation, up to $100 in total, based on app engagement.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

GUIDE

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The GUIDE App is a wellbeing app designed for first responders and veterans that uses small group support, a learning management system, drivers of behavior change, and an anonymous member experience safeguarded by a leader in identity and login privacy, Okta (okta.com). It includes three main features: 1) Community, 2) Wisdom, and 3) Daily Practice. The Community feature connects app users with an online community of like folks, allowing for human support, encouragement, accountability and coaching. Online communities are moderated by GUIDE employees. The Wisdom feature includes tools and interactive media for personal growth. The Daily Practice feature includes simple, daily routines to maintain mental and emotional wellness.

GUIDE without incentives

Immediate access to the GUIDE App for 4 weeks without the opportunity to earn additional compensation.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

GUIDE

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The GUIDE App is a wellbeing app designed for first responders and veterans that uses small group support, a learning management system, drivers of behavior change, and an anonymous member experience safeguarded by a leader in identity and login privacy, Okta (okta.com). It includes three main features: 1) Community, 2) Wisdom, and 3) Daily Practice. The Community feature connects app users with an online community of like folks, allowing for human support, encouragement, accountability and coaching. Online communities are moderated by GUIDE employees. The Wisdom feature includes tools and interactive media for personal growth. The Daily Practice feature includes simple, daily routines to maintain mental and emotional wellness.

Waitlist

Waitlisted with delayed access to the GUIDE App without the opportunity to earn additional compensation.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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GUIDE

The GUIDE App is a wellbeing app designed for first responders and veterans that uses small group support, a learning management system, drivers of behavior change, and an anonymous member experience safeguarded by a leader in identity and login privacy, Okta (okta.com). It includes three main features: 1) Community, 2) Wisdom, and 3) Daily Practice. The Community feature connects app users with an online community of like folks, allowing for human support, encouragement, accountability and coaching. Online communities are moderated by GUIDE employees. The Wisdom feature includes tools and interactive media for personal growth. The Daily Practice feature includes simple, daily routines to maintain mental and emotional wellness.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Law enforcement, military personnel, or veteran.
* Employed (part-time, full-time, self-employed).
* Owns compatible smartphone.
* Not paid by the GUIDE App/Nlyten Corp.
* No previous use of GUIDE App.