Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of an App-Based Meditation Intervention to Decrease Firefighter...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Firefighters face significant occupational stressors leading to psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, and burnout.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these stressors, with lasting implications for firefighter well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot test a novel, cost-effective, smartphone app-based meditation intervention for firefighters.
• The intervention focused on mindfulness, connection, insight, and purpose to address occupational stressors.

Main Methods:

• 35 professional firefighters participated in a 10-day, self-guided, 10-unit meditation app program.
• Assessments included anxiety, depression, burnout, negative affect, and diurnal cortisol rhythm before and after app use.

Main Results:

• The meditation app was feasible and acceptable for most firefighters.
• Significant reductions were observed in anxiety (P=.01), burnout (P=.05), and negative affect (P=.04).
• Changes in diurnal cortisol rhythm, including waking cortisol (P=.02), were also noted.

Conclusions:

• The pilot study suggests a meditation app may be a viable tool for reducing psychological distress and burnout in firefighters.
• Further research is warranted to confirm the efficacy of this digital intervention.