Overcoming Procrastination in Adults: A Waitlist-Controlled Trial of One-to-One Online Coaching With Trained Volunteers
NCT ID: NCT06814197
Last Updated: 2025-07-03
Study Results
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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COMPLETED
NA
117 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-01-23
2025-05-27
Brief Summary
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The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Can a layperson-delivered, online MI and CBT intervention effectively reduce procrastination compared to a waitlist control group?
* Can the intervention effectively improve self-efficacy and life satisfaction?
* Are the effects of the intervention maintained one month after completion?
Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the Intervention group or the Waitlist Control group, with baseline procrastination, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction measured beforehand. Participants in the intervention group will attend four weekly 60-minute online sessions delivered by trained lay coaches supervised by experienced specialists. Sessions will focus on goal-setting, identifying triggers, improving time management, and creating long-term plans to sustain progress. At the end of the intervention, 12 participants will be interviewed to share their experiences. Participants in the waitlist control group will continue their usual activities for four weeks and will receive the same intervention after completing the study assessments. This group will serve as a comparison to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
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Detailed Description
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been the primary approach used to address procrastination, focusing on restructuring maladaptive beliefs, goal setting, and increasing task engagement. However, most existing studies focus on therapist-led interventions, making these treatments costly and less scalable. Motivational Interviewing (MI) complements CBT by addressing low self-efficacy and enhancing commitment to behavioural change through client-centred techniques such as reflective listening and eliciting "change talk". Layperson-delivered interventions, which involve non-clinicians providing structured support, have shown promise in making therapies more accessible and cost-effective.
There is limited research on scalable, lay-delivered procrastination interventions, particularly those combining CBT and MI techniques in a remote format. This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the efficacy and feasibility of a four-week online, one-to-one intervention.
The primary objectives are to:
* Measure changes in procrastination, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction.
* Assess the feasibility of delivering the intervention, focusing on recruitment, adherence, and participant satisfaction.
This is a mixed-methods, waitlist-controlled trial. Participants are randomly allocated to either an Intervention or Waitlist Control group. The intervention involves four weekly 60-minute video sessions delivered by trained lay coaches. The waitlist control group will receive the intervention after a four-week waitlist period.
Participants will be adults aged 18 to 64 with severe procrastination (Irrational Procrastination Scale \[IPS\] ≥ 32) but without moderate-to-severe anxiety or depression (PHQ-9 \< 15 and GAD-7 \< 12). Exclusion criteria include cognitive impairments, severe psychiatric diagnoses, and significant health conditions. Participants will complete an online screening questionnaire and a follow-up call to confirm eligibility. After providing informed consent, participants will be randomised using block randomisation to ensure balanced group distribution.
Quantitative data will be collected at baseline, post-intervention, and at a one-month follow-up for the intervention group. Qualitative data will be gathered through post-intervention interviews with 12 participants, using thematic analysis to explore experiences and engagement. Statistical analysis will include two-way repeated measures ANOVAs and exploratory mediation models to evaluate changes in key outcomes.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
Waitlist Control Group: Participants will be on a four-week waitlist. They will receive the intervention after completing their participation in the study.
OTHER
NONE
Study Groups
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Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Procrastination
A 4-week intervention will be delivered remotely via Zoom or Google Meets, guided by Overcome coaches. Coaches are trained over two days via training slides, role plays and feedback. The intervention incorporates Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Procrastination
This intervention incorporates Motivational Interviewing (e.g., open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, summarising) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (e.g., cognitive restructuring) techniques in natural conversations instead of having a fully manualised programme. This approach resembles coaching instead of traditional therapy to build therapeutic relationships naturally and keep clients engaged with genuine human connection.
Waitlist Control
Participants will be on the waitlist for four weeks and complete outcome measures. After they have completed the outcome measures and concluded their participation in the study, they will receive the intervention too.
No interventions assigned to this group
Interventions
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Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Procrastination
This intervention incorporates Motivational Interviewing (e.g., open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, summarising) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (e.g., cognitive restructuring) techniques in natural conversations instead of having a fully manualised programme. This approach resembles coaching instead of traditional therapy to build therapeutic relationships naturally and keep clients engaged with genuine human connection.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Access to a computer or mobile device with internet connectivity.
* Ability to understand and speak English.
* IPS score ≥ 32 to confirm severe procrastination.
* PHQ-9 score \< 15 to exclude moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms.
* GAD-7 score \< 12 to exclude moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms.
Exclusion Criteria
* Psychiatric diagnoses requiring specialist care (e.g., schizophrenia, eating disorders, substance misuse). Such participants will be signposted to relevant local services if needed.
18 Years
64 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Overcome
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Locations
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Overcome
Arnside, , United Kingdom
Countries
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References
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Vangsness L, Voss NM, Maddox N, Devereaux V, Martin E. Self-Report Measures of Procrastination Exhibit Inconsistent Concurrent Validity, Predictive Validity, and Psychometric Properties. Front Psychol. 2022 Feb 24;13:784471. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.784471. eCollection 2022.
Pollak KI, Alexander SC, Tulsky JA, Lyna P, Coffman CJ, Dolor RJ, Gulbrandsen P, Ostbye T. Physician empathy and listening: associations with patient satisfaction and autonomy. J Am Board Fam Med. 2011 Nov-Dec;24(6):665-72. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2011.06.110025.
Otermin-Cristeta S, Hautzinger M. Developing an intervention to overcome procrastination. J Prev Interv Community. 2018 Apr-Jun;46(2):171-183. doi: 10.1080/10852352.2016.1198169.
Mutter A, Kuchler AM, Idrees AR, Kahlke F, Terhorst Y, Baumeister H. StudiCare procrastination - Randomized controlled non-inferiority trial of a persuasive design-optimized internet- and mobile-based intervention with digital coach targeting procrastination in college students. BMC Psychol. 2023 Sep 12;11(1):273. doi: 10.1186/s40359-023-01312-1.
Johnson SU, Ulvenes PG, Oktedalen T, Hoffart A. Psychometric Properties of the General Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD-7) Scale in a Heterogeneous Psychiatric Sample. Front Psychol. 2019 Aug 6;10:1713. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01713. eCollection 2019.
Jochmann A, Gusy B, Lesener T, Wolter C. Procrastination, depression and anxiety symptoms in university students: a three-wave longitudinal study on the mediating role of perceived stress. BMC Psychol. 2024 May 16;12(1):276. doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-01761-2.
Harrer M, Cuijpers P, Schuurmans LKJ, Kaiser T, Buntrock C, van Straten A, Ebert D. Evaluation of randomized controlled trials: a primer and tutorial for mental health researchers. Trials. 2023 Aug 30;24(1):562. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07596-3.
Connolly SM, Vanchu-Orosco M, Warner J, Seidi PA, Edwards J, Boath E, Irgens AC. Mental health interventions by lay counsellors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Bull World Health Organ. 2021 Aug 1;99(8):572-582. doi: 10.2471/BLT.20.269050. Epub 2021 Apr 29.
Beutel ME, Klein EM, Aufenanger S, Brahler E, Dreier M, Muller KW, Quiring O, Reinecke L, Schmutzer G, Stark B, Wolfling K. Procrastination, Distress and Life Satisfaction across the Age Range - A German Representative Community Study. PLoS One. 2016 Feb 12;11(2):e0148054. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148054. eCollection 2016.
Other Identifiers
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P-PF-11.24.0004
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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