A Multi-Media, Computer-Based, Self-Directed, Autonomous, Stress and Anxiety-Management Countermeasure

1. Original Project aims/objectives: Stress and anxiety-related problems are some of the most common and costly behavioral health problems in society. For those working in operational environments (i.e., astronauts, flight controllers, military), stress and anxiety-related problems before, during, or after missions can seriously compromise efficiency, safety, and performance. To address behavioral health issues like stress, it is important to maximize the privacy, validity, and acceptability of the countermeasures used. Our project had two specific aims: 1) to develop an evidence-based, autonomous, multimedia program to train users to manage stress and build resilience; 2) to evaluate the program in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The program is called SMART-OP (Stress Management and Resilience Training for Optimal Performance). The six-session cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based program includes education about stress, and interactive training exercises that teach users to monitor stress, regulate emotions and relax, think flexibly, be realistic, and take effective action to deal with stressors. The content of the program can be modified to target different populations who work in challenging environments (e.g., astronauts, military, and flight controllers) and could be disseminated widely via computer, tablet, or smartphone.

2. Key Findings: We recently evaluated SMART-OP in an RCT with a sample of stressed but otherwise healthy University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Law and Business School students (N=66). SMART-OP was compared to an attention control (AC) group that received marketed stress management information (i.e., videos and reading material). Interested participants were screened to ensure they met study eligibility criteria (no medical or psychiatric conditions, were stressed based on a self-report stress score, and a UCLA graduate student). Two hundred and thirty individuals expressed interest in the study, 169 were screened, and 80 were eligible. Participants (N = 66) were randomized to SMART-OP or AC and were evaluated on self-report measures and performance on The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Participants also evaluated the program for usefulness and usability. Fifty-nine participants completed all training sessions and assessments. The SMART-OP group reported significantly less stress, more perceived control over stress, and rated the program as significantly more useful than the AC group. During the TSST, the SMART-OP group showed a more adaptive within-task recovery at post-assessment based on a-amylase data (a biomarker of stress). SMART-OP received an excellent score on a measure of usability.

3. Impact of key findings on hypotheses, technology requirements, objectives, and specific aims of the original proposal: Our RCT key findings indicate that SMART-OP is highly usable and is a more effective and useful stress management training program than an educational comparison. These findings support our initial hypotheses that the self-guided interactive multimedia stress management and resilience training program would be a useful and acceptable method of training to the user, and an effective stress management countermeasure. Our findings are consistent with the growing literature on technology-based behavioral health interventions which report that such programs are effective and acceptable forms of treatment. SMART-OP only requires a computer for use so it can be used confidentially at a time and place of the user's choosing. The program can also be modified for use by nearly any population as well as tablet or smartphone platforms. We also met our two main aims and objectives of our original proposal-- to develop an evidence-based autonomous, multimedia stress management training program and to evaluate it in an RCT. SMART-OP is designed to train people who work in operational environments like space flight and military to build resilience and mental fitness to stress. The stressors faced by individuals who work in such settings are often chronic in nature (e.g., training demands, family concerns, and conflicts at work) and they often do not receive specific training on effective ways to address such stressors, or may be reluctant to ask for help due to stigma. Our research led us to create a confidential, valid, and effective form of evidence-based stress management training using interactive multimedia technology. SMART-OP was designed with the concept that if an individual is handling life stress well, then they can better focus on their job, perform optimally, and lead a more satisfying life.

4. Proposed research plan for the coming year: This concludes our project. Our plan is to continue our research and revise and update the program based on our finding from this RCT and evaluate it with a sample of individuals who work in operational settings (e.g., flight controllers at Johnson Space Center-JSC or military personnel).

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