Emotion Regulation Training for PTSD Prevention in Firefighters

(PEER UP Trial)

Overseen By Suzy B Gulliver, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Baylor Research Institute

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Psychotic symptoms, Substance dependence, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a workshop called the Brief Unified Protocol, a type of therapy, can help prevent PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other mental health issues in new firefighters. Participants will either attend a workshop that teaches skills for managing strong emotions or receive standard mental health education. The trial seeks English-speaking firefighter trainees who can participate in follow-up assessments. This study will compare the effectiveness of these two workshops in reducing PTSD symptoms and other psychological challenges. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance mental health support for firefighters.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on workshops and questionnaires, so it's likely you can continue your medications, but you should confirm with the trial organizers.

What prior data suggests that this emotion regulation training is safe for firefighter trainees?

Research has shown that the Brief Unified Protocol, used in the trial, is generally safe for people. Previous studies have found that most participants handle this approach well. For instance, one study showed that 80.3% of participants completed the treatment, indicating it is manageable for most. Participants in similar programs reported fewer symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, suggesting the treatment helps without major negative side effects.

Overall, based on past research, the Brief Unified Protocol is considered safe. It has been successfully used in similar settings to help people manage their emotions and improve their mental health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Brief Unified Protocol for PTSD prevention in firefighters because it offers a fresh approach to emotional regulation. Unlike traditional methods that often focus on treating symptoms after they appear, this protocol emphasizes proactive education and skill-building to manage emotions before they lead to psychological issues. The workshop dives into understanding human emotions and equips firefighters with practical tools to handle strong or unwanted feelings, which is a shift from the typical emphasis on symptom recognition found in standard psychoeducation. By providing these skills early on, the protocol aims to prevent the onset of PTSD, making it a potentially impactful strategy in mental health care for first responders.

What evidence suggests that the Brief Unified Protocol is effective for preventing PTSD in firefighters?

Research has shown that the Brief Unified Protocol, one of the treatments tested in this trial, can lessen symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder. One study found that participants, including firefighters, experienced improvements in these areas. The protocol teaches skills to manage strong or unwanted emotions, which are linked to mental health issues. Specifically, past patients demonstrated that using these skills leads to improvements over time. This suggests that the Brief Unified Protocol could effectively prevent and reduce PTSD and related symptoms in firefighter trainees. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for firefighter trainees who are at least 21 years old, speak English, can consent to participate, and are willing to be contacted for follow-up assessments. They must be able to complete interviews and self-report assessments.

Inclusion Criteria

I speak English.

I can sign a consent form.

I am willing to be contacted for follow-up assessments.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Workshop

Participants attend a Brief-Unified Protocol or psychoeducation workshop during fire academy training

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants complete follow-up questionnaires to assess PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder symptoms

24 months

Questionnaires at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Brief Unified Protocol

Trial Overview The study tests if a peer-delivered Brief-Unified Protocol workshop helps prevent PTSD and other mental health issues in firefighters better than just psychoeducation. It includes questionnaires before and after the workshops, with follow-ups over two years.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Brief Unified Protocol Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This workshop includes education regarding basic human emotions, why we have emotions, how they help us, how they can get in the way, and how they are related to psychological health problems, including among firefighters. Skills that are helpful in managing strong or unwanted emotions will be taught and practiced during the workshop. A workshop manual will be provided. Brief videos summarizing the material will be emailed over the course of the month following the workshop.

Group II: Psychoeducation Active Control 1 Intervention

This workshop provides education regarding signs and symptoms of psychological health challenges that are most commonly experienced by firefighters. These include posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and alcohol and substance misuse. This workshop is a standard part of fire academy training. A workshop manual will be provided. Brief videos summarizing the material will be emailed over the course of the month following the workshop.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Baylor Research Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

210

Recruited

205,000+

University of Pittsburgh

Collaborator

Trials

1,820

Recruited

16,360,000+

Boston University

Collaborator

Trials

494

Recruited

9,998,000+

Texas A&M University

Collaborator

Trials

156

Recruited

28,900+

Citations

1. scholars.duke.edu scholars.duke.edu/publication/1557043

The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of ... This is the first study to report on the unified protocol delivered via telehealth. The treatment completion rate was high (80.3%).

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1077722922001353

The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of ... This is the first study to report on the unified protocol delivered via telehealth. The treatment completion rate was high (80.3%).

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12397852/

Peer delivered, emotion regulation-focused mental health ... This paper describes a cluster randomized controlled trial to compare peer-delivered emotion regulation training with peer-delivered psychoeducation regarding ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451865425001115

Peer delivered, emotion regulation-focused mental health ... Posttraumatic stress ... firefighters: pilot treatment outcomes highlighting improvements in alcohol use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12320930/

Brief Group Adaptation of the Unified Protocol for ... Overall, the pattern of means for most clinical outcomes over time was consistent with the expected direction of effect, with participants improving over time ...

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-anxiety-2-2024-c17bd

Emotion Regulation Training for PTSD Prevention in ... Trial Overview The study tests if a peer-delivered Brief-Unified Protocol workshop helps prevent PTSD and other mental health issues in firefighters better than ...

7. clinicaltrial.be clinicaltrial.be/en/details/175521?active_not_recruiting=1&completed=0&enrolling_by_invitation=1&only_active=0&only_eligible=0&only_recruiting=0&per_page=20

An Augmented Training Program for Preventing Post- ... The PSP PTSI Study has been designed to evaluate an evidence-informed, proactive system of mental health assessment and training among Royal ...

8. mdpi.com mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/21/11729

A Preliminary Evaluation of the Unified Protocol among ... Roughly half of participants with PTSD demonstrated reductions in PTSD clinical severity, anxiety, depression, and distress aversion, suggesting the UP may be ...