Psychobiological Evaluation of the Army Resilience Training

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study evaluates the influence of a resilience training on psychobiological factors which are related to stress and resilience in young healthy male cadets. Half of participants will join in the resilience training, while the other half take part in a control-training (diversity management training).

Detailed Description
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The resilience training (Army Resilience Training / ART) is a stress prevention program based on well established methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Positive Psychology adapted for the needs of Swiss Armed Forces. ART is designed for healthy subjects to learn how to get over strain. Diversity management training (DMT) aims to promote social skills and acts as control condition. DMT is part of the military training but not mandatory for the study population.

Official Title
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Psychobiological Evaluation of the Army Resilience Training

Conditions
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Psychological Stress, Psychological Adaptation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Army Resilience Training
* Other: Diversity Management Training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: military cadets of the Swiss Army Infantry Officers School Inf OS 10-1/17 Exclusion Criteria: no

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 28 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Army Resilience Training<br>Resilience training: four training sessions of 90 minutes each (in week 3, 5, 6 and 7 of military training), in classroom, psychoeducational inputs on stress management and resilience related topics, cognitive behavioral interventions and moderated exercises | Behavioral: Army Resilience Training<br>* The Army Resilience Training consists four training sessions of 90 minutes each. Participants learn to reflect their stress management (including thinking, emotions, behavioral consequences; coping strategies) and build resilience using specific strategies.<br>* Other names: Resilience Training;|
| Active Comparator: Diversity Management Training<br>Diversity Management: four training sessions of 90 minutes each (in week 3, 5, 6 and 7 of military training), classroom, psychoeducational inputs on social awareness and exercises | Other: Diversity Management Training<br>* Diversity Management Training consists four training sessions of 90 minutes each. Participants learn about diversity and social awareness reflecting different situations and settings.<br>* Other names: Diversity Management;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in heart rate variability (HRV) | Change is the difference from HRV at baseline (week 2) and after resilience training (intervention) in week 9 | Weeks 2 (baseline) and 9 of the military training | 
| Area under the curve (AUC) with respect to changes of salivary cortisol titer | During stress exposure; six saliva samples will be taken and analyzed for cortisol reactivity. | Weeks 2 and 9 of the military training | 
| Change of Testosterone Levels | During stress exposure; four saliva samples will be taken and analyzed for testosterone levels. | Weeks 2 and 9 of the military training | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Intensity of acute psychological stress | Perceived stress intensity measured by Visual Analogue Scale | Weeks 2, 9 and 12 of the military training | 
| Affect of acute psychological stress | Perceived stress measured by Positive Negative Affect | Weeks 2, 9 and 12 of the military training | 
| Stress Appraisal | Perceived stress appraisal measured by Primary and Secondary Appraisal | Weeks 2, 9 and 12 of the military training |