A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Group Psychological First Aid

Despeaux, Katie E.; Lating, Jeffrey M.; Everly, George S.; Sherman, Martin F.; Kirkhart, Matthew W.

doi:10.1097/nmd.0000000000001029

Cited by 25 publications

(31 citation statements)

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“…In contrast to the first two models, the Johns Hopkins Guide, (also known and referred to as the RAPID PFA model), purports to be a theory-driven, evidence-informed and empirically validated model [ 48 , 49 ]. A therapeutic intervention, based on the Johns Hopkins Guide to PFA has been evaluated in a randomised controlled trial [ 50 , 51 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological First Aid Training: A Scoping Review of Its Application, Outcomes and Implementation

Wang

Norman

Xiao

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Worldwide commitment to disseminate Psychological First Aid (PFA) training to enable frontline workers to support distressed individuals and/or manage their own self-care is increasing, but the evidence base of PFA training is uncertain. Method: a scoping review was undertaken by searching seven databases and hand-searching grey literature to maximise coverage of potential studies. Results: Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Three PFA training models were commonly used in research studies. A broad selection of PFA training outcomes were observed including learning, behavior, satisfaction and practice in crisis mental and behavior health preparedness. Conclusions: Research evidence of reasonable quality demonstrates that PFA training significantly improves knowledge of appropriate psychosocial response and PFA skills in supporting people in acute distress, thereby enhancing self-efficacy and promoting resilience. However, this review highlights inadequate guidance on how PFA training should be applied and adapted, significant shortcomings of reporting PFA training delivery, limited training evaluation and unclear training outcomes. Whilst behavioral, knowledge and system impact of the PFA training are promising, methodologically stronger evaluations which include systematic training adaptation and selection of sensitive outcome measures is needed to strengthen future implementation of PFA training and thereby enhance population preparedness for future emergencies.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological First Aid Training: A Scoping Review of Its Application, Outcomes and Implementation

Wang

Norman

Xiao

et al. 2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Some experts have criticized the ease with which it has been adopted by the international community (Shultz & Forbes, 2014 ). Besides two RCTs that assessed the effect of PFA in a laboratory (Despeaux, Lating, Everly, Sherman, & Kirkhart, 2019 ; Everly, Lating, Sherman, & Goncher, 2016 ), the only controlled trial in an ecologically valid setting we are aware of is a study by McCart and colleagues (McCart, Chapman, Zajac, & Rheingold, 2020 ). In a sample of 172 crime survivors, they assessed the effect of PFA offered up to three weeks following a traumatic event.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ABCDE psychological first aid intervention decreases early PTSD symptoms but does not prevent it: results of a randomized-controlled trial

Figueroa

Cortés

Marín

et al. 2022

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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Background Early Psychological First Aid (PFA) has been widely recommended for preventing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, its lack of empirical evidence of safety and effectiveness has been criticized. Objectives To assess the effectiveness of PFA-ABCDE, an original PFA protocol, for preventing PTSD one month after the intervention and decreasing PTSD symptoms at one and six months of follow up. Methods We assessed the eligibility of 1,140 adult survivors of recent trauma (≤ 72 hours) consulting five emergency departments in Chile. Two hundred twenty-one were randomized to receive either PFA-ABCDE (active listening, breathing retraining, categorization of needs, referral to ancillary services, and psychoeducation) or only psychoeducation. We used the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to assess PTSD diagnosis. The Posttraumatic Checklist (PCL), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and a 0–10 points analogue visual scale were used to assess PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and immediate distress relief after the intervention. Results We found no difference between the experimental and control groups in the frequency of PTSD one month after the intervention (PFA-ABCDE = 23/76 [30.3%], psychoeducation = 18/75 [24.0%], adjusted odds ratio = 1.39, 95% confidence interval = 0.63–3.07, p = .408). Immediately after the intervention, participants who received PFA-ABCDE reported greater distress relief (PFA-ABCDE mean = 9.06, psychoeducation mean = 8.55, Cohen’s d = 0.30, p = .038). Fewer PTSD symptoms were reported by those who received PFA-ABCDE one month after the intervention (PFA-ABCDE mean = 36.26, psychoeducation mean = 43.62, Cohen’s d = 0.42, p = .033). We found no difference in depressive symptoms at one-month follow up ( p = .713) nor in PTSD symptoms six months after the intervention ( p = .986). Conclusions PFA-ABCDE does not prevent PTSD diagnosis, but it provides immediate distress relief and decreases PTSD symptoms in the short term.

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“…Of these, the present study involves adapting the John Hopkins Guide to Psychological First Aid for implementation and evaluation in China. The John Hopkins Model has been selected, over the other two models, because: (A) a small therapeutic RAPID PFA effect of reducing acute stress has been established in two RCTs among individual and group samples (40,41); (B) its structured stepwise model aligns with empirical validation regarding its knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA) format for PFA competency statements so providing a foundation to quantitatively evaluate acquisition of the learning objectives (42); (C) the findings from John Hopkins' PFA capacity-building initiatives reveal a potential value of proactive preparedness to equip their public health workforce with PFA competencies representing 14 preparedness and emergency response centers (43)(44)(45). Given its emphasis on meeting the needs of proactively preparing frontline healthcare workforce for future emergencies, we have obtained permission from the John Hopkins Press (19) An appropriate adaption of a psycho-educational intervention is essential to maximize the implementation fidelity and enhance program fit (46).…”

Section: "Preparing Me" Program-support the Mental Health Of Frontline Healthcare Workforcementioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating a Psychological First Aid Training Intervention (Preparing Me) to Support the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Chinese Healthcare Workers During Healthcare Emergencies: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial

et al. 2022

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Aims/BackgroundThe mental health challenges faced by frontline healthcare workers responding to emergencies have become a prominent public concern. Despite the consensus that Psychological First Aid (PFA) training can effectively support public mental health during emergencies through reducing acute distress and improving self-efficacy, yet it is concerning that previous flexible delivery and neglect for evaluating PFA training has resulted in unintended potential harms which may prevent further proactive uptake of this mental health prevention strategies. Establishing the feasibility of the PFA training through adapting to the local culture, tailoring to frontline healthcare context, and evaluating systematically may be helpful to inform a large trial, or ensure effective and sustained training delivery. This study aims to present a protocol for evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of a well-adapted PFA training intervention (Preparing Me) to address the implementation gap in this mental health promotion approach.MethodThis is a two-armed feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) to be conducted among 80 Chinese frontline healthcare workers without prior related mental health training. Participants from the intervention group will receive an adapted PFA training program tailored to the Chinese frontline context to improve their knowledge and skills to support people in crisis. The primary objectives are to evaluate the training intervention's feasibility and the target population's acceptance of this educational intervention. The secondary objective is to obtain preliminary estimates of variability in participants' outcomes over a 3-months period. Measurements are taken pre-intervention (T0), post-intervention (T1), and at 1- and 3-months follow-up (T2–T3). A process evaluation using qualitative research with a subgroup of trainees, their clinical managers as well as trainers will be conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the intervention's acceptability and feasibility.DiscussionThis present study protocol will help to establish whether this adapted PFA training intervention is feasible and accepted by the frontline healthcare workers, in preparation for a later effectiveness trial. It is anticipated that the resulted information would be an impetus to maximize usability and acceptance of this low-intensity PFA skillset by a wider population, thus supporting the mental health of frontline healthcare workers in dealing with crises for future emergencies.Trial RegistrationThis trial has been approved by the Institution Review Board from Central South University (LYG2020029) and by the Psychiatry, Nursing and Midwifery Research Ethics Committee at King's College London, England (LRS/DP-21/22-23161). It also has been processing registration at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

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A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Group Psychological First Aid

Cited by 25 publications

References 12 publications

Psychological First Aid Training: A Scoping Review of Its Application, Outcomes and Implementation

Psychological First Aid Training: A Scoping Review of Its Application, Outcomes and Implementation

The ABCDE psychological first aid intervention decreases early PTSD symptoms but does not prevent it: results of a randomized-controlled trial

Evaluating a Psychological First Aid Training Intervention (Preparing Me) to Support the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Chinese Healthcare Workers During Healthcare Emergencies: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial

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