title: Evaluation of a Technology-Based Adaptive Learning and Prevention Program for Stress Response-A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: To prevent deployment-related disorders, Chaos Driven Situations Management Retrieval System (CHARLY), a computer-aided training platform with a biofeedback interface has been developed. It simulates critical situations photorealistic for certain target and occupational groups. CHARLY was evaluated as a 1.5 days predeployment training method comparing it with the routine training. The evaluation was carried out for a matched random sample of N = 67 soldiers deployed in Afghanistan (International Security Assistance Force). Data collection took place before and after the prevention program and 4 to 6 weeks after deployment, which included mental state, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, knowledge of and attitude toward PTSD, and deployment-specific stressors. CHARLY has been significantly superior to the control group in terms of psychoeducation and attitude change. As to the mental state, both groups showed a significant increase in stress after deployment with significant lower increase in CHARLY. For PTSD-specific symptoms, CHARLY achieved a significant superiority. The fact that PTSD-specific scales showed significant differences at the end of deployment substantiates the validity of a specifically preventive effect of CHARLY. The study results tentatively indicate that highly standardized, computer-based primary prevention of mental disorders in soldiers on deployment might be superior to other more personal and less standardized forms of prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Scharnhorststr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wesemann
authors.affiliation: German Armed Forces Office, Fontainengraben 150, 53123 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Jens T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.affiliation: Experimental Psychological Unit, Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
authors.affiliation: Experimental Psychological Unit, Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beudt
authors.affiliation: German Armed Forces Office, Fontainengraben 150, 53123 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.affiliation: Experimental Psychological Unit, Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fehr
authors.affiliation: Experimental Psychological Unit, Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Büchler
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Scharnhorststr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069550:Machine Learning / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009790:Occupations; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000078329:Workforce