Primary prevention of post-traumatic stress disorders for mountain workers exposed to cumulative traumatic events
Résumé
Primary prevention of post-traumatic stress disorders for mountain workers exposed to cumulative traumatic events. Paper communication presented at International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 34th Annual Meeting, Washington DC, 7 November 2018. Prevention of PTSD appears as relevant for mountain workers, they are exposed to Traumatic Events (TE) and at high risk to develop PTSD. Our aim was to develop and evaluate feasibility and effectiveness of two Primary Prevention Interventions (PPI). They focused on remediation of risk factors for PTSD. A Psychological Intervention (PI), (N= 49), targeted psychological factors (coping flexibility, psychoeducation). A Physio-Psychological Intervention PPI, (N= 67), coupled the same training with a training to increase vagal flexibility (biofeedback techniques). We assessed psychological and physiological measures to test them (by pre-intervention, 1 and 6 months post intervention). Results showed for both an increase of the positive affects 1 month post intervention (PANAS scale measured; β= 3.14; t(171)=2.32). 6 months post intervention, an improvement in vagal recovery was observed in the PPI group but not in the PI group (measured as the High Frequency component of the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) response to postural changing β=-13.49; t(175)=-2.16). This result revealed the potential impact of HRV training for improving adaptive ability of stress reaction and consequently for increasing psychological resilience face to trauma. Qualitative results showed a good feasibility and a real interest in PPI by the institutions. We will discuss the generalization of PPI.