Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of an App-Based Meditation Intervention to Decrease Firefighter Psychological Distress and Burnout: A One-Group Pilot Study

Abstract

Background Firefighters are often exposed to occupational stressors that can result in psychological distress (ie, anxiety and depression) and burnout. These occupational stressors have only intensified with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and will likely persist in the postpandemic world. Objective To address occupational stressors confronting firefighters, we pilot tested a novel, cost-effective, smartphone app–based meditation intervention created by Healthy Minds Innovations that focused on mindfulness (awareness) training along with practices designed to cultivate positive relationships (connection), insight into the nature of the self (insight), and a sense of purpose in the context of challenge (purpose) with a sample of professional firefighters from a large metropolitan area in southwestern United States. Methods A total of 35 participants were recruited from a closed online group listserv and completed the self-guided 10-unit meditation app over the course of 10 days, at 1 unit per day. We assessed anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, burnout, and negative affect as well as saliva diurnal cortisol rhythm, an objective indicator of stress-related biology, before and after use of the meditation app. Results This study demonstrated the meditation app was both feasible and acceptable for use by the majority of firefighters. We also found significant reductions in firefighters’ anxiety (P=.01), burnout (P=.05), and negative affect (P=.04), as well as changes in cortisol diurnal rhythm, such as waking cortisol (P=.02), from before to after use of the meditation app. Conclusions Our study findings call for future research to demonstrate the efficacy of this meditation app to reduce psychological distress and burnout in firefighters.

Vickybot, a Chatbot for Anxiety-Depressive Symptoms and Work-Related Burnout in Primary Care and Health Care Professionals: Development, Feasibility, and Potential Effectiveness Studies

“…Digital psychological tools have been proposed as a potential solution [ 37 - 39 ]. In fact, some digital interventions through smartphone apps have proven effective in improving anxiety [ 40 ], depressive symptoms [ 41 ], and work-related burnout [ 42 - 44 ], especially in PC settings [ 45 , 46 ], and also for people with severe mental disorders such as bipolar disorder [ 47 , 48 ].…”

Mindfulness-Based App to Reduce Stress in Caregivers of Persons With Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias: Protocol for a Single-Blind Feasibility Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Healthy Minds Program (HMP) is a mindfulness-based mobile app that may be well suited for use with caregivers of persons with ADRD for several reasons. First, HMP is unique because it teaches mindfulness skills grounded in theory [ 41 ] with empirical support [ 42 - 44 ]. Having a theoretical underpinning is important because it allows the app to be a vehicle for the delivery of evidence-based mindfulness skills.…”

“…Having a theoretical underpinning is important because it allows the app to be a vehicle for the delivery of evidence-based mindfulness skills. Second, previous research has shown that HMP reduced emotional distress and burnout in firefighters [ 44 ]; improved psychological distress, stress, social connectedness, and mindfulness in adults [ 43 ]; and reduced stress and increased mindfulness, self-compassion, and human flourishing in medical students [ 42 ]. Third, HMP is free of charge, which increases its reach especially among caregivers who often experience financial burdens because of their role.…”

Applicability and Psychometric Comparison of the General-Population Viral Anxiety Rating Scales among Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Additionally, it has triggered panic disorders, anxiety, and depression. High prevalence of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress symptoms has been reported among the general population in various countries [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ] In addition, stress and anxiety among various population such as schoolteachers, firefighters, or public workers has also been reported [ 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”