JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Psychological stress-related injuries within first-responder organisations have created a need for implementation of effective stress management training. Most stress management training solutions manifest with limitations connected to scaled adoption within a workforce. For instance, those that are effective in civilian populations, often do not align with the human performance culture embedded within first responder organisations. Programs involving expert led instruction, whiles high in quality are often expensive.

Objective:

We sought to develop a solution specifically tailored to the Australian Defence Force. The platform, known as Performance Edge, is a novel virtual-reality and biofeedback-enabled stress management skills training platform.

Methods:

This study used a mixed-method, multi-site approach to assesses feasibility, acceptability, and training impacts of the training platform in a real world ‘on-base’ training context with the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Results:

Performance Edge training was delivered to 189 ADF trainees in 372 training sessions. Results consistently show high levels of engagement indicating overwhelming endorsement for the usefulness, effectiveness, and suitability of the platform. Self-report and objective indices confirmed knowledge improvement, increased skill confidence and competency post-training.

Conclusions:

Virtual reality-technology combined with a targeted and evidence-based training framework can be a suitable and effective delivery modality for practical skills training of psychological skills within a real-world workplace setting.