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Neural Changes Following Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Procrastination

NCT ID: NCT06357364

Last Updated: 2024-12-03

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

276 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-04-08

Study Completion Date

2026-01-15

Brief Summary

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The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of and the neural changes following two cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) protocols for procrastination with a wait-list control group. The interventions will be delivered online in group settings. Both protocols include identical psychoeducation and cognitive modules aiming at identification and modification of dysfunctional automatic thoughts related to procrastination but will differ in the behavioral modules. The behavioral module in the first protocol is focused on timely beginning and realistic planning. The second protocol implements working time restriction. The wait-list control group will receive one of the CBT protocols after a waiting period that will last as long as the CBT intervention and the assessments performed directly after treatment. It is assumed that the interventions will be superior to the wait-list control. Primary (procrastination) and secondary (depression and anxiety) measures will be collected prior to and after the interventions (or waiting period in the wait-list group) and after 6 months in the two active condition groups. Additionally, neuroimaging measurements will be conducted before and after the interventions (or waiting period in the wait-list group). Approximately half of the participants will undergo functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), and another half will undergo electroencephalography (EEG). Both methods are aimed at exploring neural correlates of the expected improvements in participants' self-regulation abilities.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Procrastination

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
A researcher not having direct contact with participants will create a script generating random sequence using a computer random sequence generator (Matlab). Randomization will take place at an individual level, stratified by age, gender and procrastination severity (block randomization). Participants will be randomized into three groups with an allocation ratio of 1:1:1.

Pairs of experienced psychotherapists trained in one of the therapy protocols will deliver the interventions in an online group setting.

Study Groups

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Techniques of Starting on Time and Planning Realistically

5 session (one session a week) online group therapy including psychoeducation and cognitive modules (what is procrastination, role of rewards, work environment, identification of dysfunctional automatic thoughts, cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention) and a behavioral module: realistic planning, timely beginning.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Psychoeducation and cognitive modules

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Psychoeducation and cognitive modules: what is procrastination, role of rewards, work environment, belief identification, cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention.

Behavioral module: Starting on Time and Planning Realistically

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Learning of realistic planning, and timely starting of work.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Technique of Working Time Restriction

5 session (one session a week) online group therapy including psychoeducation and cognitive modules (what is procrastination, role of rewards, work environment, identification of dysfunctional automatic thoughts, cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention) and a behavioral module: working time restriction.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Psychoeducation and cognitive modules

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Psychoeducation and cognitive modules: what is procrastination, role of rewards, work environment, belief identification, cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention.

Behavioral module: Working Time Restriction

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Restriction of allowed time for work, and gradual increase of allowed time, if previous time windows where effectively used.

Wait-list control group

no intervention

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Psychoeducation and cognitive modules

Psychoeducation and cognitive modules: what is procrastination, role of rewards, work environment, belief identification, cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral module: Starting on Time and Planning Realistically

Learning of realistic planning, and timely starting of work.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral module: Working Time Restriction

Restriction of allowed time for work, and gradual increase of allowed time, if previous time windows where effectively used.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Bachelor's and Master's university students
* Self-reported primary difficulties related to chronic and severe procrastination
* Serious procrastination problem lasting for at least one year as confirmed during clinical interview
* Having a postponed/procrastinated project to complete in the course of therapy
* Willing to participate in the study
* Fluent in Polish language
* Computer access and stable Internet connection

Exclusion Criteria

* Current participation in other psychotherapy
* Use of psychiatric medication during the last 12 weeks
* Severe anxiety or affective disorders or any other severe psychiatric disorders that require other types of specialized care and are primary to procrastination problem (e.g. major depressive episode, social phobia, PTSD, etc.)
* Active suicidality
* Psychosis, bipolar disorder
* Alcohol or substance dependence
* Severe personality disorders (with the exclusion of avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders)
* For Warsaw participants: contradictions for fMRI measurement (metal elements in the body, claustrophobia, neurological conditions, pregnancy etc), non right-handedness.
* For Poznań participants: neurological conditions (e.g. epilepsy)
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

26 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Marek Wypych, PhD, DSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Jarosław Michałowski, Prof.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Joachim Kowalski, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Locations

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Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Warsaw, , Poland

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Poland

Central Contacts

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Marek Wypych, PhD, DSc

Role: CONTACT

[email protected]
+48225892550

Facility Contacts

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Marek Wypych, Phd, DSc

Role: primary

[email protected]

Other Identifiers

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CBT_Procrastination_Neuro

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id