Psychological Stress and Support Needs of Volunteer First Responders After Smartphone-based Cardi… (NCT07607808) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Psychological Stress and Support Needs of Volunteer First Responders After Smartphone-based Cardiac Arrest Alerts
Germany75 participantsStarted 2026-05-01
Plain-language summary
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a serious emergency. In many areas, trained volunteers are alerted by a smartphone app to help before emergency services arrive. While this can save lives, these situations can also be emotionally stressful for the volunteers. This study looks at how these experiences affect volunteer first responders and how they cope with them. It also examines whether a structured follow-up conversation after an event can help reduce stress.
People who respond to a cardiac arrest alert can take part in the study. Participants will answer short questionnaires about their well-being about four weeks and ten weeks after the event. Some participants will also be offered a guided conversation to talk about their experience, while others will not.
The researchers will compare both groups to see if the conversation helps reduce stress over time. The study will also explore which factors may increase or reduce emotional burden.
Participants can stop answering the questionnaires at any time. If signs of increased stress are identified, support options are available. With consent, the study team may contact participants to offer further information and help connect them with support services.
The results of this study may help improve support for volunteer first responders in the future.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Volunteer first responders alerted through the "Corhelper" smartphone application
* Sufficient German language skills to understand the study information and to participate in the debriefing conversation and questionnaires
* Written informed consent for study participation
* Actual arrival at the scene with direct exposure to the resuscitation situation (e.g., visual contact with the patient or active participation in resuscitation measures)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Age below 18 years
* Anticipated severe post-traumatic stress symptoms during the course of the study, in order to avoid possible retraumatization
* Already enrolled in the study following a different Corhelper alert event
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This study is focusing on volunteer first responders who respond to cardiac arrest alerts via smartphone — could my role as a volunteer responder mean I'm the kind of participant this research is looking at, and is this something worth discussing with my care team?
2Since this trial is measuring post-traumatic stress symptoms using the PCL-5 scale, does my current mental health status or any existing stress symptoms I have affect whether participating in this kind of observational study would be appropriate for me?
3The trial isn't recruiting yet — given where I am right now in terms of support needs, are there existing mental health resources or treatments I should be pursuing in the meantime rather than waiting to see if this study opens?
4Because this study is categorized as 'Phase NA,' meaning it's likely observational rather than testing a treatment, what would I actually be asked to do as a participant, and could answering detailed questions about traumatic events make my stress symptoms worse?
5Are there other studies or support programs already available for first responders dealing with psychological stress after cardiac arrest responses that my doctor could point me toward while this trial is still in the pre-recruitment stage?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Post-traumatic stress symptom severity measured by the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) total score