The Efficacy of a Physical Activity Counselling Intervention on Mental Health in Firefighters

Plain-language summary

Objectives: The aim of this project will be to evaluate the efficacy of a lifestyle PA counselling program for physically inactive first responders with at least mild symptoms of either anxiety, depression or stress and their chosen support partners compared to a waiting list, and to determine the mediating effect of autonomous motivation. Additionally, the randomised controlled trial will be complemented with qualitative interviews to provide a deeper context and understanding to the quantitative findings. To the best of our knowledge, no randomized controlled trial to date has examined the outcomes of an online physical activity counselling intervention using peer-support in firefighters. Methods: Within mixed methods randomized controlled trials, we will follow a sequential explanatory design. In this design, qualitative results complement and help interpret quantitative findings. In order to address the main aims, a randomized controlled trial will be executed. CONSORT statement will be followed for reporting findings. Protocol will be submitted to clinicaltrials.gov. For addressing the secondary aim of the study, the study will follow a qualitative design based on interpretative phenomenology. Phenomenology is a model used for describing, understanding, and interpreting the lived experiences of the participants by means of discourse analysis. For the quantitative component, two arms with 24 firefighters will be required. Additionally, chosen support partners will enter the intervention arm. Participants in the intervention arm will be invited to a private facebook page where the researcher will upload weekly educational posts regarding different aspects of physical activity. For the qualitative component, participants will be invited to 2-3 focus groups where the experiences of the participants on the program will be discussed.

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