Challenges faced by military, public safety and security personnel supporting disaster relief operations.

Principal Investigator

Funding Sponsor

Defence Research and Development Canada

Lay Summary

Natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes, result in some of the most devastating consequences at the individual and community levels. To date, most of the natural disaster research focuses heavily on victims, with little attention paid to the personnel responding to such disasters. The purpose of this this study was twofold. The first was to review the challenges faced by military and public safety and security personnel supporting disaster relief operations. The second was to develop a detailed evidence-based report outlining the challenges faced and positive outcomes experienced by military, public safety and security personnel following deployment to natural disasters.

After performing a comprehensive review of almost 400 research studies related to this topic, we found that the challenges reported by relief workers generally followed a trend. The most frequently occurring challenges were related to institutional or infrastructure interactions, followed by resource limitations, general well-being, physical and mental health challenges, and social challenges. In addition to this general trend, we discovered trends within specific relief group populations. In the research we reviewed, military and first responders deployed in natural disaster relief situations reported higher instances of physical health challenges. We also found that social challenges, such as being lonely, interpersonal conflicts, and working with others, were largely reported by relief workers deployed to provide medical assistance. In contrast, workers on search and rescue deployment missions reported more challenges related to mental health and suicidality due to more exposure to traumatic events, such as death. Further, mental health challenges were consistently noted in different situations, types of relief worker, and deployments, with the highest proportion of relief workers reporting post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Finally, over half of the research studies we reviewed acknowledged positive or transformative outcomes following engagement in relief work. This includes the provision of additional resources, support, and training as well as self-growth and fulfillment.

Despite the frequency of research associated with the structural and resource challenges of natural disasters, few reviews to date stress the importance of personnel responding to such disasters. Findings from our research emphasize the importance of both pre-deployment training, to better prepare relief workers to manage expected challenges, as well as post-deployment supportive services to reduce negative outcomes and support relief workers’ well-being. This is important when making recommendations for future disaster relief preparations, training, and post-deployment interventions as well as research priorities to advance this area of research and applications.

Thermoregulatory implications of varying soft armour torso coverage during prolonged physical activity in hot environments.

Principal Investigator

Funding Sponsor

Defence Research and Development Canada

Lay Summary

Soldiers often exercise in hot environments while wearing protective body armour. Body armour contributes to the heavy loads that soldiers carry, which can limit their performance during operational tasks. Soldiers report this fact as frustrating. The negative effects of wearing heavy armour are particularly evident when soldiers perform tasks in hot environments. This is caused by limited heat exchange between the body and the environment. The combination of physical tasks and heavy body armour that does not allow sufficient heat exchange, puts soldiers at a high risk of heat-related injuries (e.g., heat stroke). The use of modular armour, that enables soldiers to adapt their protection level, may not only reduce these problems, but optimize soldiers’ protection and survival. However, the impact of modular armour on soldiers’ physiological and perceptual responses, during an operational task in a hot environment, is unknown.

The aim of this study is to determine the thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, and perceptual effects of varying soft armour torso coverage during a slow march in a hot environment. Findings from this research will help inform policies and practice for military personnel working in conditions of extreme heat.

Understanding concussion from injury to return to action.

Principal Investigator

Funding Sponsor

Defence Research and Development Canada

Lay Summary

Concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is a common occurrence for soldiers on the battlefield and for athletes in the sporting arena. Although some medical tests (e.g., cognitive tests, blood biomarkers, and brain imaging) have helped to explain some of the biological mechanisms associated with concussion, the overall physiological pathways are poorly understood. Further, there is a research gap related to the comprehensive analysis of concussed athletes or soldiers, overtime, with multiple evidenced-based measures.

Given the similarities between athletes and soldiers (e.g., youth, athleticism, physical and mental requirements for success, vulnerability to mTBI’s and an overlap in medical symptoms and nerve damage observed in the brains of young-adult athletes and military Veterans with histories of brain injury), athletes represent an ideal soldier proxy for investigating concussive injuries. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the natural course of recovery from concussive brain injuries in athletes. This was done through neuropsychological testing, balance assessment, neuroimaging, cerebral blood flow, brain function, white matter structure, and blood biomarkers. Over 1,200 athletes participated.

This research has successfully generated the most comprehensive description of early injury brain physiology to date. In addition to the brain images measured, a comprehensive evaluation of inflammation, peripheral secondary injury processes, and eye muscle movements related to concussion injury and recovery were examined. This leads to a better understanding of mTBI in humans, which may lead to new concussion treatment approaches for athletes and soldiers. Building on this research’s findings and other new data collection approaches we identified, future research recommendations should consider additional physiological pathway associated with concussion such as brain regulation, nerve hormones, and immune function.

Leveraging technology to improve mental health outcomes using machine learning analysis of a post-traumatic stress recovery clinical database.

Principal Investigator

Funding Sponsor

CIMVHR-True Patriot Love Research Initiative

Lay Summary

Almost 15% of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans will be diagnosed with a deployment-related mental disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. To prevent such illnesses, improve health outcomes, and reduce suicidality among CAF members and Veterans, a personalized medicine machine learning tool may prove beneficial. This research used clinical results and assessment data from machine learning computational methods and technology among CAF members and Veterans, with PTSD and treatment response (e.g., recovery; suicidal behaviour).

Evaluating mental disorders using diagnostic imaging scans to assess brain inflammation in military post-traumatic stress disorder from exposure to low-level military blasts.

Principal Investigator

Funding Sponsor

Defence Research and Development Canada

Lay Summary

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and brain injury resulting from exposure to low-level military blast (LLMB) are recognized as “signature” operational stress injuries among Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans. These injuries affect work performance, well-being and daily function. Progressive brain degeneration and immune responses may be linked to the long-term manifestation of debilitating cognitive and mental health symptoms associated with operational stress injuries.

This study used brain imaging methods with participants with PTSD, healthy controls, and CAF members with LLMB. The purpose was to assess if markers neurodegeneration could be detected in participants with PTSD or LLMB.

This study found no evidence of brain degeneration or immune response in CAF members with PTSD or LLMB. Instead, the data showed that only some groups of individuals with PTSD may be at risk for abnormalities in brain immune response, specifically, individuals with co-occurring depression and men who use cannabis. Additionally, CAF members with more extensive exposure to blast had higher indicators of brain degeneration. Preliminary results have informed us of the risk factors for brain degeneration and abnormal immune responses in CAF members.

Creative arts initiatives for Veterans.

Principal Investigator

Funding Sponsor

CIMVHR-True Patriot Love Research Initiative

Lay Summary

Every year, thousands of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are released from service and re-join the civilian world. However, a good portion of these Veterans suffer from injury or illness during their military training or service. Creative arts therapies have proven beneficial in the assistance of physical and mental health rehabilitation. In this research review scan, our team explored existing creative arts therapies for Veterans in Canada. We also interviewed our partners to understand how to create art therapies in a meaningful way, to support CAF members’ and Veterans’ health and well-being. The goal of this our research is to develop recommendations that will support CAF members and Veterans’ physical and mental rehabilitation. We also seek to co-create a support network to connect CAF members and Veterans within the wider creative arts community for personal well-being.

Advancing research on servicewomen and women Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Principal Investigator

Funding Sponsor

CIMVHR-True Patriot Love Research Initiative

Lay Summary

Historically, there is a lack of research on women in the defence sector. This is due to a biased assumption of male military and Veteran stereotypes. This research seeks update and expand existing reviews of research related to Canadian servicewomen and women Veterans. From this work, we will identify and prioritize key research gaps. This will guide the future development of research on servicewomen and women Veterans in the Canadian context. In consultation with key knowledge holders such as women Veterans and their organizations, the Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and other researchers in the field. This project will help advance Canadian research on the needs, health, and well-being of military and Veteran women.