Project STEP: Cranial electrotherapy stimulation: Piloting a road to PTSD prevention in first responders
The purpose of the study is to find out if the at-home use of Alpha Stim Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) is an appropriate and acceptable intervention for firefighters, and whether CES may change how firefighters feel.
The main benefits of this study are to help researchers and clinicians develop future interventions such as CES for the prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder or other mental health issues often seen in first responders.
Although this is not a treatment study, CES delivered by the Alpha Stim device has been used to treat anxiety and/or insomnia (difficulty sleeping). You will need to own a smartphone to take part in this study.
You may qualify if you:
Active duty firefighter in Rhode Island, USA
Age between 18 and 56 years old
Be in good medical health or, if having chronic medical conditions, these conditions needed to be stable
Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English sufficiently well to complete study procedures and provide informed consent
Has a personal smartphone and being willing to install one or two apps on the phone for study procedures