Testing a Novel Attention Based Training Prevention Strategy for First Responders: FirstFocus a Mobile App

Part of paid clinical trials in Palo Alto, California.

Sponsor
Palo Alto University
Study ID
NCT07247149
Status
Enrolling By Invitation

Conditions

  • Wellbeing

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Attention Bias Modification — BEHAVIORAL
    Attention training involves 80 training trials. The task uses words developed specifically for this study with fear words such as "crash" and "car" and neutral words such as "couch" and "can" that are balanced for length and frequency. Additionally, on every trial the location of the probe is the same as the location of the fear word. Participants press the button corresponding to the direction of the probe. The training takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Study Details

First responders are frequently exposed to high-stress and traumatic events, putting them at increased risk for mental health challenges such as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Access to traditional mental health services is often hindered by stigma, time constraints, and a lack of tailored resources. Mobile app-based interventions offer a promising solution due to their accessibility and potential to address mental health proactively and in a time sensitive way. Attention training has emerged as a simple way to prevent distress and the emergence of future mental health concerns. The proposed research will test a mobile app: FirstFocus which will leverage targeted attention training to prevent stress/distress during shifts and enhance the wellbeing of rural first responders. The specific aims are to (1) test the feasibility and acceptability of FirstFocus as an intervention for rural first responders; (2) to test the short-term preventative efficacy of attention training on state stress/distress and its longer-term efficacy for improving professional quality of life and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Key Dates

Start date
Nov 15, 2025
Status verified
Dec 2025
Primary completion
Sep 1, 2026
Completion
Dec 1, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
80 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Attention Training Baseline Start
    Participants in this arm will begin ABM at the start of the study.
  • Experimental: Attention Training Week 1 Start
    Participants in this arm will begin ABM 1 week after the start of the study.
  • Experimental: Attention Training Week 2 Start
    Participants in this arm will begin ABM 2 weeks after the start of the study.
  • Experimental: Attention Training Week 3 Start
    Participants in this arm will begin ABM 3 weeks after the start of the study.

Primary Outcome Measure

Client Satisfaction Questionnaire [ Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks. ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Palo Alto UniversityPalo AltoCalifornia94304-

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