Army Health for Military Resilience

Overseen By Nicole Wesley

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Disqualifiers: Under 21, Not NG member

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

400 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to boost psychological resilience among soldiers by identifying and addressing modifiable risk factors. It will explore ways to enhance mental and physical health using a special training app. The ultimate goal is to develop a skills training program that strengthens resilience in soldiers. The trial seeks National Guard soldiers or their family members aged 21 and older who are interested in improving their mental toughness. As an unphased trial, participants have the unique opportunity to contribute to pioneering research that could significantly enhance mental resilience strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this training program is safe for soldiers?

Research has shown that digital mental health tools, like those in the Army Health program, are safe and effective in improving resilience and well-being. One study examined various apps and online programs similar to those used in this trial. These digital tools have generally been safe, with no major safety issues reported.

However, using dietary and exercise supplements among military personnel raises some safety concerns. These supplements have been linked to negative side effects and risks. Participants should be aware of these potential problems when using supplements as part of a wellness program.

Overall, while digital tools appear safe, participants should exercise caution with supplements and always follow advice from health professionals. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

"Army Health" is unique because it focuses on enhancing military resilience through a comprehensive program, rather than using traditional medical treatments or medications. Unlike standard options that might address specific physical or mental health issues in isolation, Army Health takes a holistic approach to improve overall well-being and resilience. Researchers are excited about this trial because it could lead to a more effective way of maintaining and improving the health of military personnel by addressing multiple aspects of their health simultaneously. This approach has the potential to not only improve individual readiness but also enhance overall mission success.

What evidence suggests that this program is effective for enhancing psychological resilience in Soldiers?

Research shows that resilience programs in the U.S. military, such as the Army Health program tested in this trial, help soldiers manage stress and setbacks. These programs aim to strengthen psychological resilience, enabling recovery from challenges. Previous studies have found that such programs can improve soldiers' mental health and performance. The Army Health program, which participants in this trial will experience, combines physical and mental training to build resilience. Early signs suggest that these combined methods could effectively prepare soldiers to handle various types of stress. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for military personnel interested in improving their psychological resilience. It aims to identify modifiable risk factors and trainable skills that can enhance soldiers' mental and physical well-being. The study will also test a new training app designed for integration into existing systems.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 21 and either a National Guard soldier or a family member.

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 21 years old and not associated with the National Guard.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention Development

Development of a resilience-focused intervention and skills training program

1 month

Training and Assessment

Participants engage in physical and mental optimization training and are assessed on various psychological measures

1 month

Multiple assessments via questionnaires

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term outcomes such as drug abuse and program satisfaction

12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Army Health

Trial Overview The study focuses on defining psychological resilience within the military context, identifying key risk factors, and developing trainable resilience skills. Participants will use an integrated optimization training app as part of the intervention to assess its effectiveness and feasibility.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Program Users Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

314

Recruited

183,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The study highlights a strong connection between medical fitness and resilience among Air Force personnel, suggesting that improving medical fitness can help protect against stress-related issues.

Preventive care is identified as a key intervention that can enhance medical fitness and resilience, potentially reducing the prevalence of injuries and chronic conditions among Airmen and their families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Medical Fitness and Resilience: A Review of Relevant Constructs, Measures, and Links to Well-Being. Shih, RA., Meadows, SO., Martin, MT.[2020]

The Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF) program is designed to enhance psychological resilience among U.S. Army personnel, their families, and civilians, rather than serving as a medical treatment.

CSF provides evidence-based training to help individuals cope with stressors like combat and separation from loved ones, aiming to strengthen their ability to handle life's challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comprehensive soldier fitness: a vision for psychological resilience in the U.S. Army. Casey, GW.[2015]

A study involving 707 UK military recruits found that a resilience-based intervention (SPEAR) did not significantly improve mental health outcomes, such as PTSD and common mental disorder symptoms, compared to usual training.

Despite initial lower levels of mental health stigmatisation among those receiving the SPEAR intervention, there were no significant differences in help-seeking behavior, cohesion, or leadership perceptions at follow-up, indicating the intervention may not have had the intended impact.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resilience-based intervention for UK military recruits: a randomised controlled trial. Jones, N., Whelan, C., Harden, L., et al.[2019]

Military members, especially those in Special Operations Forces, have a high usage of dietary supplements (DS), which raises concerns about potential interactions with medications and the safety of these products.

The article emphasizes the need for military personnel to understand dietary supplement regulations and risks, providing resources to help maintain health and performance while using these products.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What the SOF Community Needs to Know About Dietary Supplements. Deuster, PA.[2022]

The Army aims to enhance soldier performance and resilience by shifting from a traditional healthcare model to a proactive 'system for health' that emphasizes sleep, physical activity, and nutrition, known as the Performance Triad.

This innovative approach is expected to improve individual soldier health and performance throughout their military careers and could serve as a beneficial model for national health initiatives.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving Soldier Health and Performance by Moving Army Medicine Toward a System for Health. Caravalho, J.[2018]

Dietary supplement use is common in the military, particularly among Special Operations Forces, but the lack of strict regulations can lead to harmful side effects, as illustrated by a case of drug-induced liver injury from a testosterone prohormone supplement.

Healthcare providers and military personnel need to be informed about the risks associated with dietary supplements and utilize available resources for safety ratings and reporting adverse reactions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Drug-induced liver injury secondary to testosterone prohormone dietary supplement use. Hoedebecke, KL., Rerucha, CM., Maxwell, K., et al.[2022]

A study of 1017 British soldiers during Op TELIC found that 41% reported using dietary and exercise supplements, with whey protein, amino acids, and creatine being the most common, highlighting a significant prevalence of supplement use in military settings.

The concerning finding of 1.4% of soldiers admitting to current anabolic steroid use underscores the need for increased education on the potential health risks associated with such supplements, as well as the importance of promoting safe practices among military personnel.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-administration of exercise and dietary supplements in deployed British military personnel during Operation TELIC 13. Boos, CJ., Wheble, GA., Campbell, MJ., et al.[2022]

Proper nutrition is essential for soldiers' recovery and return to duty, as it impacts their overall health, stress management, and wound healing processes.

Involving a registered dietitian in the treatment team can significantly enhance nutritional care, potentially improving the rate at which soldiers return to active duty after trauma.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of nutritional care upon return-to-duty rates. Hodges, PA.[2017]

Extremity injuries in combat-injured soldiers significantly contribute to long-term disability, highlighting the need for effective tracking of patient outcomes to understand the impact of various injury patterns.

A multidisciplinary approach to treating severe extremity trauma is essential for optimizing patient outcomes, and collecting both functional and patient-reported outcomes will help military surgeons develop evidence-based treatment plans for future injuries.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving Outcomes Following Extremity Trauma: The Need for a Multidisciplinary Approach. Stinner, DJ.[2018]

Sustained operational stress during military missions can lead to significant physiological issues in soldiers, including reduced anabolic hormones, decreased skeletal muscle mass, and loss of bone mineral density.

This review aims to inform military commanders about these physical and physiological declines, enabling them to plan missions that incorporate countermeasures to maintain or enhance soldier performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiological decrements during sustained military operational stress. Henning, PC., Park, BS., Kim, JS.[2019]

Physical fitness is a key factor in building resilience, as it helps individuals withstand and recover from stressors while promoting overall health and well-being.

Regular exercise not only provides physiological and psychological benefits but also protects against chronic diseases and enhances mental toughness, which are essential for resilience, particularly in high-stress environments like the military.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical fitness: a pathway to health and resilience. Deuster, PA., Silverman, MN.[2018]

Approximately 70% of military personnel use dietary supplements, which is significantly higher than the 50% usage rate in the general civilian population, potentially increasing their risk of adverse events.

The US Department of Defense has implemented measures like Operation Supplement Safety to educate military personnel about safe supplement use and to monitor and report adverse events associated with dietary supplements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protecting military personnel from high risk dietary supplements. Deuster, PA., Lieberman, HR.[2017]

The 'Move to Health' course, designed to enhance resiliency among healthcare teams, did not significantly reduce burnout levels within two months, with 52% of participants reporting burnout before the course and 48% afterward.

Despite the lack of change in burnout rates, participants reported improved self-efficacy in providing holistic patient care and increased satisfaction with patient-centered care, although 70% had not implemented their action plans.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving Resilience and Combating Burnout in US Army Health Care Teams. Coleman, AM., Hartzell, MM., Oh, RC., et al.[2021]

73% of Navy and Marine Corps personnel reported using dietary supplements regularly, with multivitamins and protein supplements being the most common, indicating a high prevalence of supplement use in this population.

22% of dietary supplement users experienced adverse events, with combination products showing a particularly high rate of 29%, highlighting potential safety concerns associated with these supplements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prevalence, Adverse Events, and Factors Associated with Dietary Supplement and Nutritional Supplement Use by US Navy and Marine Corps Personnel. Knapik, JJ., Trone, DW., Austin, KG., et al.[2022]

Citations

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Resilience enhancing programs in the U.S. military The resilience programs of U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps are described, and available program effectiveness data ...

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Army Health for Military Resilience The overall objectives of this study are to better define the construct of psychological resilience in the military, to identify potential modifiable risk ...

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a modernised software capability for optimising soldier ... These role- based dashboards ensure that each user accesses relevant and actionable insights tailored to their specific responsibilities,.

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Moving from a Losing Disease Model to a Winning Wellness ... We propose the following actions be considered in transforming to a winning, wellness model for military mental health. This prevention effort must be a U.S. ...