NCT06357364

Neural Changes Following Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Procrastination

Neural Changes Following Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for Procrastination: An fMRI and EEG Randomized Controlled Trial of Two CBT Protocols

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 293 (actual)
• Sponsor: Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 26 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Procrastination

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Psychoeducation and cognitive modules	Psychoeducation and cognitive modules: what is procrastination, role of rewards, work environment, belief identification, cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention.
BEHAVIORAL	Behavioral module: Starting on Time and Planning Realistically	Learning of realistic planning, and timely starting of work.
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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-04-08
• Primary completion: 2026-01-15
• Completion: 2026-01-15
• First posted: 2024-04-10
• Last updated: 2026-04-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Poland