Efficacy of SOLAR-m App in Reducing Mental Health Symptoms in Firefighters

Overview

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the trauma-informed SOLAR-m mobile app's effectiveness in reducing depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms among firefighters. Results showed significant symptom reductions at 8 weeks post-baseline compared to an active mood monitoring control, with sustained depression improvement at 3 months.

Background

Firefighters frequently experience traumatic events that increase their risk for psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Early intervention targeting subclinical symptoms is critical to prevent progression to diagnosable disorders. Smartphone apps offer a confidential, accessible, and convenient platform for mental health support, especially for high-risk professions facing stigma and access barriers. The SOLAR program is a brief, trauma-informed, transdiagnostic intervention designed to address shared mechanisms underlying these symptoms and has demonstrated efficacy in prior trials.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• SOLAR-m app users showed a significantly greater reduction in combined depression and anxiety symptoms at 8 weeks compared to mood monitoring controls (mean difference -2.64, p=0.01).
• Significant improvements were also observed in depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms at 8 weeks in the SOLAR-m group.
• At 3 months post-intervention, only depression symptoms maintained a significant between-group difference favoring SOLAR-m.
• The study enrolled 163 firefighters experiencing distress, randomized 1:1 to SOLAR-m or control.
• SOLAR-m demonstrated efficacy as a trauma-informed, transdiagnostic digital intervention for mental health symptoms in a high-risk occupational group.

Clinical Implications

The SOLAR-m app offers an effective, accessible early intervention for firefighters experiencing subclinical to clinical mental health symptoms. Its trauma-informed, transdiagnostic approach can reduce depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, addressing barriers such as stigma and limited access to traditional care. Clinicians and occupational health services may consider integrating SOLAR-m to support mental health in high-risk workforces.

Conclusion

The SOLAR-m smartphone application is efficacious in reducing depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms among firefighters, with sustained depression improvements at 3 months. This supports its use as a scalable, trauma-informed digital intervention in high-risk occupational settings.

References

1. Trial Registration ANZCTRN12621001141831 -- Evaluation of SOLAR-m App in Firefighters