Clinical Scorecard: Evaluation of a Trauma-Informed Mobile Application's Effectiveness in Alleviating Mental Health Symptoms Among Firefighters: A Randomized Controlled Trial
At a Glance
Category
Detail
Condition
Subclinical and clinical symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress among firefighters
Firefighters experiencing distress and subclinical mental health symptoms
Care Setting
Mobile application-based intervention accessible remotely and privately
Key Highlights
SOLAR-m app demonstrated greater reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms at 8 weeks compared to active mood monitoring control.
Significant improvements were observed in depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms at 8 weeks; depression improvements persisted at 3 months.
Mobile app delivery addresses barriers such as stigma, low mental health literacy, and privacy concerns in high-risk professions.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Screen firefighters for subclinical symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress to enable early intervention.
Management
Implement trauma-informed, transdiagnostic digital interventions like the SOLAR-m app to reduce mental health symptoms.
Use mobile applications to provide accessible, confidential, and flexible mental health support for high-risk occupational groups.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Assess symptom changes at 8 weeks post-intervention and follow-up at 3 months to evaluate sustained benefits.
Risks
Be aware of potential attrition in digital mental health interventions and address engagement barriers.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Firefighters experiencing distress with subclinical or clinical symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress
SOLAR-m app use resulted in statistically significant symptom reduction at 8 weeks with some sustained effects at 3 months, supporting its efficacy as an early intervention.
Clinical Best Practices
Incorporate trauma-informed, skills-based digital interventions for early mental health support in high-risk professions.
Utilize mobile apps to overcome stigma and accessibility barriers inherent in traditional mental health services.
Monitor symptom trajectories longitudinally to tailor ongoing support and identify need for additional interventions.
by Tracey Varker, Olivia Metcalf, Yee Foong Mok, Karen E. Lamb, Julia Fredrickson, Hussain-Abdulah Arjmand, Phoebe Howlett, Kari Gibson, Le Pham, Kate Everett, Meaghan Louise O’Donnell
