Stress Resilience Training System (SRTS) for Inoculating the Warfighter

This proposal is for continued Phase II development of the Stress Resilience Training System (SRTS). The SRTS goal is to inoculate military personnel against the adverse effects of stress and enable the productive use of stress in order to improve performance during traumatic exposure and prevent post exposure distress. Our basic premises are that:(1) It is feasible to minimize the adverse effects of stress during combat and other traumatic exposure by a program combining cognitive training, and advanced HRV-based biofeedback; (2) minimizing the adverse effects of stress at the time of exposure will improve immediate performance and also help prevent the occurrence of post traumatic stress disorder; (3) state-of-the-art handheld systems can provide new mobile means for delivering training and practice that can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the techniques by permitting on-the-spot refreshment and practice; and (4) presentation of cognitive and biofeedback content in motivating forms such as games, flash, and video will enhance the acceptance and thus the effectiveness of the overall system. The Phase II program plan builds on the successful demonstration in Phase I of an end-to-end SRTS and on the positive feedback and offers of support received from several military activities involved in stress control.