The goal of this cluster randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effects of a smartphone-based Healthy Lifestyle (HLS) intervention on firefighters' mental and physical health in firefighters in Tainan, Taiwan. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the Traditional Chinese version of the HLS mobile App improve firefighters' mental and physical health compared to usual care? * Can the intervention effectively promote a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases among firefighters? Researchers will compare firefighters receiving the smartphone-based HLS intervention to those receiving usual care to determine whether the intervention leads to improved health and fitness outcomes over 3 to 6 months. Participants will: * Use the Traditional Chinese version of the HLS mobile App, originally developed at Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, and adapted for firefighters in Taiwan. * Be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (HLS App) or the control group (usual care). * Undergo health and fitness assessments at baseline and at 3 to 6 months post-intervention. Anticipated outcomes are improvements in mental and physical health among firefighters receiving the intervention compared to the control group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
1,000
A firefighter-oriented Healthy Lifestyle Application (Traditional Chinese Version)
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Taipei, Taiwan
RECRUITINGBlood Pressure
The participants will maintain a quiet sitting posture for at least five minutes, and the measurement will be taken on a healthy arm without any prior surgery or disease. The blood pressure measuring device will be calibrated and will automatically take three measurements, with a one-minute interval between each. The average blood pressure value will be recorded.
Time frame: 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Depressive Symptoms
The participants will be asked to complete questionnaires measuring depressive symptoms, which includes the Beck Depression Inventory for Primary Care (BDI-PC) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Questions related to self-harm thoughts have been removed from these instruments to eliminate the need for further referrals. Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Before the intervention and 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
The participants will be asked to complete a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) questionnaire which measures posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Questions related to self-harm thoughts have been removed from these instruments to eliminate the need for further referrals. Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Before the intervention and 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Body Mass Index (BMI)
The body mass index (BMI) will be calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the square of the height in meters. The height will be self-reported before the intervention and measured to the nearest 0.1 cm while standing upright using a tape measure 3 to 6 months post-intervention, and the weight will be self-reported before the intervention, and measured to the nearest 0.1 kg with a weighing scale 3 to 6 months post-intervention.
Time frame: Before the intervention and 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Smoking Habit
The investigators will ask if the participants had quit or stopped using tobacco in a questionnaire to verify their smoking habits.
Time frame: Before the intervention and 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Mediterranean Diet Pattern
The investigators will utilize a Traditional Chinese version of the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), consisting of 14 binary questions to determine adherence to the Mediterranean diet pattern.
Time frame: Before the intervention and 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Overall Physical Activity Levels
The investigators will assess overall physical activity levels over the past 6 months using a Chinese version of a validated physical activity rating (PA-R) questionnaire which our team translated.
Time frame: Before the intervention and 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Total weekly hours spent sitting
The investigators will ask the participant with the question "Indicate the total number of hours sitting per week"
Time frame: Before the intervention and 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Average daily hours of sleep
The investigators will ask the participant with the question "Please indicate the total hours of actual sleep in a typical 24-hour period in week"
Time frame: Before the intervention and 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Frequency of siestas per week
The investigators will ask the participant with the question "How many times do you take a nap per week?"
Time frame: Before the intervention and 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Glycated Hemoglobin
Biochemical parameters will be measured by the cobas b 101 blood testing system (F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland) with the participants fingertip blood after a 8-hour fasting.
Time frame: 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Lipid Profile
Biochemical parameters will be measured by the cobas b 101 blood testing system (F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland) with the participants fingertip blood after a 8-hour fasting.
Time frame: 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
C-reactive protein(CRP)
Biochemical parameters will be measured by the cobas b 101 blood testing system (F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland) with the participants fingertip blood after a 8-hour fasting.
Time frame: 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
Physical Performance
The participants will provide their semi-annual evaluation reports, including performance metrics in standing long jump, overhead back toss, deadlift, cliffhanger pull-up, 6-meter out-and-back run, farmer's walk, and 1,500-meter run
Time frame: In the latter half of 2025
NT-proBNP
Biochemical parameters will be measured by the Cobas h 232 blood testing system (F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland) with the fingertip blood of participants with hypertension.
Time frame: 3 to 6 months after the intervention starts
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.