Tactics to Optimize the Potential and CardioBioFeedback in Stress Management: The French Experience

Background: Chronic work-related stress is a well-known public health problem, and it concerns Military populations. Stress responses lead to specific changes in immunity, physiologic systems, and regulation of stress hormones. Overexposure to stress has an important role in the development and courses of mental diseases, as well as being a factor in increased abdominal obesity, osteoporosis, infections, and cardiovascular problems. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of two stress psychologic fitness management programs based on a mind-body approach to stress perception and stress reactivity in a Military population subjected to daily operational stress. Method: 180 young military fire fighter recruits were randomly assigned to a controlled intervention trial including three groups: a cognitive stress program (tactics to Optimized the Potential - TOP) group, an emotional CardioBioFeedback stress program (CBF) group, or a control group. The stress programs training lasted eight weeks, with one hour training per week. A placebo was administered as a nutriceutical in all three groups during the time of the training. Primary outcome variables included the perceived stress; second outcome variables included stress reactivity (mindfulness, negative mood, Immunoglobulin A levels). Post intervention effectiveness on the long-term programs' benefits was evaluated. Results: Both TOP and CBF stress programs reduce operational stress in military population. Although the size of the effects was small, they must be considered at the clinical level. Long-term effects depend on the frequency of daily practice. Results were discussed with reference to mind-body theory. Conclusions: Short stress programs intervention improved stress perception and stress reactivity in healthy workers. Recommendations about mind-body interventions were proposed for the military population.