NASA Study: Stress Management and Resilience Training for Optimal Performance (SMART-OP)


We are NOT currently enrolling people in this study.

Researchers in the UCLA Anxiety Disorders Research Center (ADRC) have incorporated the use of technology in managing and treating stress and anxiety problems. The CALM study was an example of that treatment approach and another study funded by National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) through a cooperative agreement with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is furthering that work.

Stress- and anxiety-related problems are some of the most common and costly behavioral health problems in society. For those working in operational environments (i.e., astronauts, flight controllers, military), stress- and anxiety-related problems before, during, or after missions can seriously compromise efficiency, safety, and performance. To address behavioral health issues like stress, it is important to maximize the privacy, validity, and acceptability of the program used.

SMART-OP (Stress Management and Resilience Training for Optimal Performance) is a six-session evidence-based (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy) program that is brief (30-45 min each) and private (can be used in office or home settings). SMART-OP includes education about stress and interactive training exercises that teach users to monitor stress, regulate emotions, relax, think flexibly, be realistic, and take effective action to deal with stressors. The content of the program can be modified to target different populations who work in challenging and stressful environments (e.g., astronauts, military, flight controllers) and could be disseminated widely via computer, Internet, tablet, or smart phone device.

We recently evaluated SMART-OP in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a sample of stressed but otherwise healthy University of California, Los Angeles Law and Business School students (N=66). SMART-OP was compared to an attention control group that received marketed stress management information (i.e., videos and reading material). Overall, SMART-OP was shown to be an effective and acceptable tool for managing stress and building resilience. Dr. Rose and his team are currently updating SMART-OP based on data from the RCT and are interested in its application in various populations (e.g., military).

Principal Investigator

Raphael D. Rose, Ph.D., UCLA
310-825-9048
rose@psych.ucla.edu

Co-Investigators

This work supported by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute through NASA NCC 9-58.