Prevention of Psychological Health Problems Via Integrated Operational Support

NCT06981598 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IRB-FY2023-7921
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 5,586
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Sub-clinical behavioral health services in the military are performed by BH technicians, who receive minimal training. Due to this, embedding more technicians in military units is unlikely to benefit service members. Giving technicians training in, and access to, evidence-based interventions (EBI) could make their work more effective. The proposed study is a training trial examining the efficacy of the full integrated operational support (IOS) toolkit (evidence-based interventions for behavioral health), relative to routine care using standard resources, as a prevention resource for active-duty airmen.

Conditions

Depression, Anxiety; Grief; Leadership; Dissatisfaction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Average Satisfaction of Service Members (SM) with Embedded Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) Services

  We will ask participating SMs questions about their session with their embedded BHT to gauge their satisfaction with the experience. The questions are prompts such as "How much do you think your meeting today will help you deal with your current difficulties?" and How much do you think working with a MHT/BHT/psych/4C will help you improve the things you would like to change?"

  From the SM's first session with their embedded BHT to their last session (up to 10 weeks)

• Change in Service Member PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) Score

  The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) measures physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms of Major Depression such as "feeling down, depressed, or hopeless," "trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much," or "trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television." Service members (SM) will fill out this measure.

  From the SM's first session with their embedded BHT to one month after their last session with their embedded BHT (up to 14 months after the completion of the baseline survey after the first appointment with their embedded BHT)

• Change in Service Member WHO-5 Well-being Index Score

  The WHO-5 Well-being Index measures general well-being with prompts such as "I have felt cheerful and in good spirits" and "I woke up feeling fresh and rested." Service members (SM) will fill out this measure.

  From the SM's first session with their embedded BHT to one month after their last session with their embedded BHT (up to 14 months after the completion of the baseline survey after the first appointment with their embedded BHT)

• Change in Service Member PSS-10 (Perceived Stress Scale - 10 item version) Score

  The PSS-10 (Perceived Stress Scale - 10 item version) measures the SM's stress with prompts such as: "In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life?" and "In the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things?" Service members (SM) will fill out this measure.

  From the SM's first session with their embedded BHT to one month after their last session with their embedded BHT (up to 14 months after the completion of the baseline survey after the first appointment with their embedded BHT)

• Change in Service Member STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) Score

  The STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) measures anxiety by asking participants about their current emotions with prompts such as "I feel calm," "I feel frightened," and "I feel nervous." Service members (SM) will fill out this measure.

  From the SM's first session with their embedded BHT to one month after their last session with their embedded BHT (up to 14 months after the completion of the baseline survey after the first appointment with their embedded BHT)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Frequency of evidence based intervention (EBI) use among behavioral health technicians (BHT) following IOS Toolkit Cognitive Behavioral Coaching training

  Pre-training (10-week period) to post-training (10-week period)

Study Arms (1)

BH Technician Training

EXPERIMENTAL

BH Technician Training; active deliberate practice training

Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Coaching Training

Interventions

Cognitive Behavioral Coaching Training BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral technicians will engage in a structured, deliberate-practice-based training program designed to enhance competence in evidence-based interventions (EBIs) over a 10-week period. The program begins with an initial seminar that provides an overview of the training framework, key research supporting deliberate practice, and specific intervention techniques. Each participant is assigned a coach-either a clinical psychologist or a licensed MSW with expertise in the EBI Toolkit-who will provide individualized guidance throughout the training. During the weekly coaching sessions, participants will review session notes, engage in structured practice exercises, and work toward mastering the skills and competencies necessary for effective intervention delivery. Weekly homework assignments will allow participants to practice each tool as though they were working with an SM client, followed by self-reflections that will be discussed in coaching sessions.

BH Technician Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Service members seeing a behavioral health (BH) technician.
• Currently embedded BH technicians.

You may not qualify if:

• Service members who are not currently seeing a BH technician.
• BH technicians who are not embedded or have taken a clinic role.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• New York University: lead

Study Sites (1)

New York University

New York, New York, 10016, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression; Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Amy S Slep, PhD

  NYU

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Kelly Daly, PhD

CONTACT

914-806-5093; kd2691@nyu.edu

Ana Ivic, LMSW

CONTACT

9143195245; ai679@nyu.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Modified stepped wedge design training behavioral health technicians

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 17, 2025
• First Posted: May 21, 2025
• Study Start: March 10, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2028
• Last Updated: May 21, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)