Improving Performance of Combat Soldiers by Utilizing Attentional Training Based on Eye Tracking

Not Applicable

Terminated

• Conditions: Military Combat Performance

• Registration Number: NCT05306197
• Lead Sponsor: Tel Aviv University

Brief Summary

Military service in combat units entails exposure to traumatic events that require mental adjustment. To develop and efficiently apply attentional interventions aimed at enhancing soldiers' combat performance, it is essential to extensively investigate the efficiency of these training programs, which has yet to been done. The prupose of the current study is to examine the efficiency of the new attention eye-tracking based training, in comparison to RT-based training and to a control group, in improving performance of combat soldiers. In addition, the influence of the attention training on aspects of psychological resilience will also be examined in questionnaires.

Detailed Description

Following the explanation to participants regarding the study process, those who give written consent to participate will be randomly placed into one of three groups: GCFT (N=60), ABMT (N=60), and a neutral control group - task based on eye-tracking (N=60). The study will include 2 measurement points during the military service: before the attention training and after the attention training. In each measurement point, the soldiers will complete computerized tasks to measure threat attention, questionnaires, and performance data from shooting ranges and combat fitness.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-03-14
• Study First Submitted: 2022-03-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-03-31
• Study First Posted: 2022-04-01
• Primary Completion: 2024-02-27
• Study Completion: 2024-06-21
• Status Verified: 2024-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-07-08
• Last Update Posted: 2024-07-09

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: TERMINATED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 79

Inclusion Criteria

• Each soldier from the cohort that will give his written consent will be able to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

• Hebrew proficiency is insufficient to complete the study questionnaires.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Combat Performance	Approximately 3 months after baseline	Composite scores for Static marksmanship, simulator shooting performance (Bagira), running test grades, and obstacle course grades will be gathered from soldiers' commanders before and after intervention sessions to test for change.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Post-Combat General Anxiety	Change from baseline Post-Combat General Anxiety Symptoms at approximately 3 months	Score on self-report questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7). The total score, ranging from 0 to 21, reflects GAD symptom severity, with higher scores representing greater severity.
Post-Combat Trauma	Change from baseline Post-Combat PTSD Symptoms at approximately 3 months	Score on on self-report questionnaire Posttraumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). The total score, ranging from 0 to 80, reflects PTSD symptom severity, with higher scores representing greater severity.
Post-Combat Depression	Change from baseline Post-Combat Depression Symptoms at approximately 3 months	Score on self-report Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9). The total score, ranging from 0-27, reflects severity of depressive symptoms, with higher scores representing greater severity.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Tel Aviv University; 🇮🇱 Tel Aviv, Israel