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Combining internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy and attention bias modification for reducing depressive symptoms in firefighters: a randomized controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 November 2024

Xiwen Zhou ,
Chengxiong Zhou ,
Yexing Zheng ,
Huaiyi Li ,
Chao Tang ,
Xiang Liu ,
Ming Ma ,
Dai Li ,
Yuanhui Li  and
Liqun Zhang
...Show all authors
Xiwen Zhou
Affiliation:
Kungming Training Corps of National Fire and Rescue Administration, Kunming, China
Chengxiong Zhou
Affiliation:
Kungming Training Corps of National Fire and Rescue Administration, Kunming, China
Yexing Zheng
Affiliation:
Kungming Training Corps of National Fire and Rescue Administration, Kunming, China
Huaiyi Li
Affiliation:
Kungming Training Corps of National Fire and Rescue Administration, Kunming, China
Chao Tang
Affiliation:
Kungming Training Corps of National Fire and Rescue Administration, Kunming, China
Xiang Liu
Affiliation:
Adai Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
Ming Ma
Affiliation:
Adai Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
Dai Li
Affiliation:
Adai Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
Yuanhui Li
Affiliation:
Adai Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
Liqun Zhang
Affiliation:
Adai Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
Jilai Xie
Affiliation:
Adai Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
Linlin Du*
Affiliation:
Kungming Training Corps of National Fire and Rescue Administration, Kunming, China
*
Corresponding author: Linlin Du; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background:

Firefighters are frequently exposed to traumatic events and stressful environments and are at particularly high risk of depressive symptoms.

Aims:

The present study aimed to examine the impact of a combined internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) and attention bias modification (ABM) intervention to reduce depressive symptoms in firefighters.

Method:

The study was a randomized controlled trial carried out in Kunming, China, and involved the recruitment of 138 active firefighters as participants. The intervention lasted for an 8-week duration, during which participants participated in ABM exercises on alternating days and concurrently underwent eight modules of iCBT courses delivered through a smartphone application. Baseline and post-intervention assessments were conducted to evaluate the effects of the intervention.

Results and Discussion:

Results indicated that the combined iCBT and ABM intervention was significantly effective in reducing symptoms of depression compared with the no intervention control group (U=1644, p<0.001, Wilcoxon r=0.280). No significant change was observed in attention bias post-intervention (U=2460, p=0.737, Wilcoxon r=0.039), while a significant increase was observed in attention-bias variability (U=3172, p<0.001, Wilcoxon r=–0.287). This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of the combined iCBT and ABM intervention in reducing depressive symptoms among firefighters. This study provides conceptual support and preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of the combined iCBT and ABM intervention in reducing depressive symptoms among firefighters.

Keywords

CBT trainingcognitive bias modificationdepression
Type
Main
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 53 , Issue 1 , March 2025 , pp. 63 - 73
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

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