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The Development of a Sleep Intervention for Firefighters: The FIT-IN (Firefighter’s Therapy for Insomnia and Nightmares) Study

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  • Eun Hee Jang

    (Department of Psychology, Sungshin University, Seoul 02844, Korea)

  • Yujin Hong

    (Department of Psychology, Sungshin University, Seoul 02844, Korea)

  • Yeji Kim

    (Department of Psychology, Sungshin University, Seoul 02844, Korea)

  • Sangha Lee

    (Department of Psychology, Sungshin University, Seoul 02844, Korea)

  • Yeonsoon Ahn

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Korea)

  • Kyoung Sook Jeong

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wonju 26426, Korea)

  • Tae-Won Jang

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul 04763, Korea)

  • Hyejin Lim

    (Ilsang Psychological Services, IPS, Seoul 05685, Korea)

  • Eunha Jung

    (Ilsang Psychological Services, IPS, Seoul 05685, Korea)

  • Shift Work Disorder Study Group

    (Shift Work Disorder Study Group dr.alysuh@sungshin.ac.kr .)

  • Seockhoon Chung

    (Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea)

  • Sooyeon Suh

    (Department of Psychology, Sungshin University, Seoul 02844, Korea)

Abstract

Background : Firefighters are vulnerable to irregular sleep patterns and sleep disturbance due to work characteristics such as shift work and frequent dispatch. However, there are few studies investigating intervention targeting sleep for firefighters. This preliminary study aimed to develop and test a sleep intervention, namely FIT-IN (Firefighter’s Therapy for Insomnia and Nightmares), which was based on existing evidence-based treatment tailored to firefighters in consideration of their occupational characteristics. Methods : This study implemented a single-group pre-post study design, utilizing an intervention developed based on brief behavior therapy for insomnia with imagery rehearsal therapy components. FIT-IN consisted of a total of three sessions (two face-to-face group sessions and one telephone session). Participants were recruited from Korean fire stations, and a total of 39 firefighters participated. Participants completed a sleep diary for two weeks, as well as the following questionnaires to assess their sleep and psychological factors: insomnia severity index (ISI), disturbing dream and nightmare severity index (DDNSI), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), depressive symptom inventory-suicidality subscale (DSI), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). These questionnaires were administered before the first session and at the end of the second session. Results : The FIT-IN program produced improvements in sleep indices. There was a significant increase in sleep efficiency ( p < 0.01), and a decrease in sleep onset latency, number of awakenings, and time in bed ( p < 0.05), as derived from weekly sleep diaries. In addition, significant decreases were shown for insomnia ( p < 0.001) and nightmare severity ( p < 0.01). Conclusion : There were significant improvements in sleep and other clinical indices (depression, PTSD scores) when comparing pre-and post-intervention scores. FIT-IN may be a feasible and practical option in alleviating sleep disturbance in this population. Further studies will be needed to ascertain FIT-IN’s effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Eun Hee Jang & Yujin Hong & Yeji Kim & Sangha Lee & Yeonsoon Ahn & Kyoung Sook Jeong & Tae-Won Jang & Hyejin Lim & Eunha Jung & Shift Work Disorder Study Group & Seockhoon Chung & Sooyeon Suh, 2020. "The Development of a Sleep Intervention for Firefighters: The FIT-IN (Firefighter’s Therapy for Insomnia and Nightmares) Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:8738-:d:450485
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ga-Young Lim & Tae-Won Jang & Chang-Sun Sim & Yeon Soon Ahn & Kyoung Sook Jeong, 2020. "Comparison of Cortisol level by Shift Cycle in Korean Firefighters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Kyeongmin Kwak & Bong-Kyu Kim & Tae-Won Jang & Chang Sun Sim & Yeon-Soon Ahn & Kyeong-Sook Choi & Kyoung Sook Jeong, 2020. "Association between Shift Work and Neurocognitive Function among Firefighters in South Korea: A Prospective before–after Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Maria Fagerbakke Eldevik & Elisabeth Flo & Bente Elisabeth Moen & Ståle Pallesen & Bjørn Bjorvatn, 2013. "Insomnia, Excessive Sleepiness, Excessive Fatigue, Anxiety, Depression and Shift Work Disorder in Nurses Having Less than 11 Hours in-Between Shifts," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(8), pages 1-9, August.
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