Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: May 25, 2024
Date Accepted: Aug 21, 2024
Intensive, Real-time Data Collection of Psychological and Physiological Stress During a 96-hour Field Training Exercise at a Senior Military College: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Improved accuracy of wearable biosensors and remote field biologic sample collection strategies could make critical contributions to understanding how physical readiness and occupational stressors result in on-the-job and environmental related injury, sleep impairments, diagnosis of mental health disorders, and reductions in performance in warfighters. The best way to integrate these approaches to modify training and response models requires careful consideration.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of intensive biomarker and biometric data collection to understand physiologic and psychologic stress in Army Reserved Officer Training Corps (AROTC) cadets before, during, and after a 96-hour field training exercise (FTX).
Methods:
A prospective pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of intensive field data collection using passive drool saliva sampling, sweat sensors, accelerometry, actigraphy, and photoplethysmography. Additionally, physical fitness, injury, and psychological resilience were measured.
Results:
Twenty-two (n=22) cadets were included. Two were lost to follow-up due to injury during FTX, for a retention rate of 91%. Assessments of performance and psychological resilience were completed for all remaining participants, resulting in 100% adherence. All subjects completed saliva samples prior to the FTX, with 98% adherence at the second time point and 91% at the third. Data was not able to be collected for sweat. Average daily wear-time for photoplethysmography devices was good to excellent, meeting a 70% threshold and data was collected for ≥80% of person-days at all time points. Of the participants who completed the FTX, twelve (n=12) completed a post-FTX acceptability survey for a response rate of 60%. Overall, participant acceptance was high (≥80%) for all metrics and devices.
Conclusions:
Real-time biometric and biomarker sampling is feasible and acceptable in the natural field environment and provides insights and strategies for future interventions on military readiness, environmental stress, and recovery. Clinical Trial: n/a
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