ProcrastinationNCT02112383
Group Versus Internet-based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Procrastination
A study testing Cognitive behavior group therapy and Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy in people with Procrastination, run by Stockholm University at 1 site in Sweden.
Trial summary
Procrastination is defined as a voluntarily delay of an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse-off for the delay, and is considered a persistent behavior pattern that can result in major psychological suffering. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Procrastination
- What is being tested?
- Cognitive behavior group therapy and Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSweden
- Study dates
- Sep 2014to Oct 2016
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Fluent in Swedish
- Computer with Internet access and a working email
- Registered as students at one of the affiliated universities of the Student Health Centre at Karolinska Institutet
- Primary difficulties related to chronic and severe procrastination
Who cannot join
- Severe depression (30 points or more on MADRS-S)
- Acute conditions in need of treatment; suicidal ideation, neuropsychiatric conditions (ADHD, ADD), misuse of alcohol or drugs, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis
- Ongoing psychotherapy
- Ongoing psychotropic medication (unless dose is stable three months prior the entering treatment)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Sweden1 site
The Student Health Centre at Karolinska Institutet.
Huddinge, 141 52
About this study
Procrastination is defined as a voluntarily delay of an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse-off for the delay, and is considered a persistent behavior pattern that can result in major psychological suffering. About one-fifth of the adult population and half of the student population are presumed having substantial difficulties due to recurrent procrastination in their everyday life. However, chronic and severe procrastinators seldom receive adequate care due to preconceptions and the lack of understanding regarding procrastination and the treatment interventions that are assumed beneficial. Cognitive behavior therapy is often deemed treatment of choice, although the evidence supporting its use is scarce, and only one randomized controlled trial has been performed. The primary aim of the current study is therefore to test the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy delivered as either a group intervention or via the Internet. Participants will consist of students recruited through the Student Health Centre at Karolinska Institutet. A randomized controlled trial with a sample size of 100 participants divided into two conditions will be employed; a ten week Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy intervention, and an eight week group intervention based on cognitive behavior therapy. The current study is believed to result in two important findings. First, different interventions inherent in cognitive behavior therapy are assumed to be helpful for people suffering from problems caused by procrastination. Second, both a group intervention and an Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy intervention are presumed suitable for administering treatment for procrastination, which is considered highly important as the availability of adequate care is limited, particularly among students. The current study will increase the knowledge regarding the efficacy of different treatments of procrastination, as well as enhance the overall comprehension of the difficulties related to dilatory behavior.
- Conditions
- Procrastination
- Being tested
- Cognitive behavior group therapy, Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy
- Keywords
- Procrastination, Cognitive behavior therapy, Internet interventions, Group intervention, Students, Randomized controlled trial
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cognitive behavior group therapyBehavioural
For participants in the group intervention condition, the modules from a self-help treatment for procrastination will be delivered at four consecutive three-hour sessions at the Student Health Centre at Karolinska Institutet, with approximately two modules given at each session. The sessions will be spaced two weeks apart, during which participants are instructed to complete assignments related to the modules that were in focus of the previous session, e.g., goal-setting, time management, and behavioral experiments, which they are advised to present and discuss with the other participants.
Internet-based cognitive behavior therapyBehavioural
For participants in the Internet-based condition, the modules from a self-help treatment for procrastination will be distributed weekly during the treatment period, with one module given each week, i.e., ten weeks. In comparison to the group condition, participants will not receive a therapist contact or attend any sessions. In addition, the participants are expected to complete both the reading material and the assignments that are included in each module.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy |
| Cognitive behavior group therapy | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Cognitive behavior group therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from baseline on the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS)
The PPS features twelve items measuring the prevalence of procrastination.
Measured: 0 weeks and 8 or 10 weeks
Change from baseline on the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS)
The PPS features twelve items measuring the prevalence of procrastination.
Measured: 0 weeks and 24 weeks
Change from baseline on the Procrastination Assessment Scale for Students (PASS)
The PASS features three items measuring difficulties of procrastination within six different domains of study related activities.
Measured: 0 weeks and 8 or 10 weeks
Change from baseline on the Procrastination Assessment Scale for Students (PASS)
The PASS features three items measuring difficulties of procrastination within six different domains of study related activities.
Measured: 0 weeks and 24 weeks
Secondary outcomes (6)
Change from baseline on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S)
The MADRS-S is a self-report version of MADRS and features nine items measuring changes in mood, anxiety, sleeping patterns, appetite, concentration, initiative, emotional engagement, pessimism and attitude towards life.
Measured: 0 weeks and 8 or 10 weeks
Change from baseline on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S)
The MADRS-S is a self-report version of MADRS and features nine items measuring changes in mood, anxiety, sleeping patterns, appetite, concentration, initiative, emotional engagement, pessimism and attitude towards life.
Measured: 0 weeks and 24 weeks
Change from baseline on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7)
The GAD-7 features seven items for assessing anxiety and screening for generalized anxiety disorder.
Measured: 0 weeks and 8 or 10 weeks
Change from baseline on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7)
The GAD-7 features seven items for assessing anxiety and screening for generalized anxiety disorder.
Measured: 0 weeks and 24 weeks
Change in baseline on the Symptoms Checklist 90 (SCL-90)
SCL-90 features 90 items evaluating the participant's physical health and mental well-being, and consists of three global domains as well as nine subdomains.
Measured: 0 weeks and 8 or 10 weeks
Change in baseline on the Symptoms Checklist 90 (SCL-90)
SCL-90 features 90 items evaluating the participant's physical health and mental well-being, and consists of three global domains as well as nine subdomains.
Measured: 0 weeks and 24 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Apr 2014 (estimated)
- Study startSep 2014
- Primary completionOct 2016
- Study completionOct 2016
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for ProcrastinationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Stockholm University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Karolinska Institutet
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Per Carlbring, Stockholm University
- Investigators
- Per Carlbring, PhD, Principal investigator, Stockholm UniversityDavid Forsström, MSc, Study director, Stockholm UniversityAlexander Rozental, MSc, Study director, Stockholm University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02112383
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SU-KI-STUDENT
- Status last verified
- Mar 2018
- First submitted
- 6 Apr 2014
- Last updated
- 13 Mar 2018
- Results posted
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Rozental, A., Forsström, D., Nilsson, S., Rizzo, A., & Carlbring, P. (2014). Group versus Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for procrastination: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Internet Interventions, 1(2), 84-89. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2014.05.005
Rozental A, Forsstrom D, Lindner P, Nilsson S, Martensson L, Rizzo A, Andersson G, Carlbring P. Treating Procrastination Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Treatment Delivered via the Internet or in Groups. Behav Ther. 2018 Mar;49(2):180-197. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2017.08.002. Epub 2017 Aug 5.
PubMed 29530258
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Mar 2018. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Group Versus Internet-based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Procrastination
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02112383
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SU-KI-STUDENT
- Conditions
- Procrastination
- Keywords
- Procrastination, Cognitive behavior therapy, Internet interventions, Group intervention, Students, Randomized controlled trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Stockholm UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Karolinska Institutet
- Study start
- Sep 2014 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Oct 2016 (actual)
- Study completion
- Oct 2016 (actual)
- First posted
- 11 Apr 2014 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Procrastination is defined as a voluntarily delay of an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse-off for the delay, and is considered a persistent behavior pattern that can result in major psychological suffering. About one-fifth of the adult population and half of the student population are presumed having substantial difficulties due to recurrent procrastination in their everyday life. However, chronic and severe procrastinators seldom receive adequate care due to preconceptions and the lack of understanding regarding procrastination and the treatment interventions that are assumed beneficial. Cognitive behavior therapy is often deemed treatment of choice, although the evidence supporting its use is scarce, and only one randomized controlled trial has been performed. The primary aim of the current study is therefore to test the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy delivered as either a group intervention or via the Internet. Participants will consist of students recruited through the Student Health Centre at Karolinska Institutet. A randomized controlled trial with a sample size of 100 participants divided into two conditions will be employed; a ten week Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy intervention, and an eight week group intervention based on cognitive behavior therapy. The current study is believed to result in two important findings. First, different interventions inherent in cognitive behavior therapy are assumed to be helpful for people suffering from problems caused by procrastination. Second, both a group intervention and an Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy intervention are presumed suitable for administering treatment for procrastination, which is considered highly important as the availability of adequate care is limited, particularly among students. The current study will increase the knowledge regarding the efficacy of different treatments of procrastination, as well as enhance the overall comprehension of the difficulties related to dilatory behavior.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy | Experimental | Behavioral: Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy |
| Cognitive behavior group therapy | Experimental | Behavioral: Cognitive behavior group therapy |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Fluent in Swedish
- Computer with Internet access and a working email
- Registered as students at one of the affiliated universities of the Student Health Centre at Karolinska Institutet
- Primary difficulties related to chronic and severe procrastination
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Severe depression (30 points or more on MADRS-S)
- Acute conditions in need of treatment; suicidal ideation, neuropsychiatric conditions (ADHD, ADD), misuse of alcohol or drugs, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis
- Ongoing psychotherapy
- Ongoing psychotropic medication (unless dose is stable three months prior the entering treatment)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive behavior group therapyFor participants in the group intervention condition, the modules from a self-help treatment for procrastination will be delivered at four consecutive three-hour sessions at the Student Health Centre at Karolinska Institutet, with approximately two modules given at each session. The sessions will be spaced two weeks apart, during which participants are instructed to complete assignments related to the modules that were in focus of the previous session, e.g., goal-setting, time management, and behavioral experiments, which they are advised to present and discuss with the other participants. | Behavioural | Cognitive behavior group therapy |
| Internet-based cognitive behavior therapyFor participants in the Internet-based condition, the modules from a self-help treatment for procrastination will be distributed weekly during the treatment period, with one module given each week, i.e., ten weeks. In comparison to the group condition, participants will not receive a therapist contact or attend any sessions. In addition, the participants are expected to complete both the reading material and the assignments that are included in each module. | Behavioural | Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy |
Primary outcome
Change from baseline on the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS)
Time frame: 0 weeks and 8 or 10 weeks
The PPS features twelve items measuring the prevalence of procrastination.
Change from baseline on the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS)
Time frame: 0 weeks and 24 weeks
The PPS features twelve items measuring the prevalence of procrastination.
Change from baseline on the Procrastination Assessment Scale for Students (PASS)
Time frame: 0 weeks and 8 or 10 weeks
The PASS features three items measuring difficulties of procrastination within six different domains of study related activities.
Change from baseline on the Procrastination Assessment Scale for Students (PASS)
Time frame: 0 weeks and 24 weeks
The PASS features three items measuring difficulties of procrastination within six different domains of study related activities.
6 secondary outcomes
Change from baseline on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S)
Time frame: 0 weeks and 8 or 10 weeks
Change from baseline on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S)
Time frame: 0 weeks and 24 weeks
Change from baseline on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7)
Time frame: 0 weeks and 8 or 10 weeks
Change from baseline on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7)
Time frame: 0 weeks and 24 weeks
Change in baseline on the Symptoms Checklist 90 (SCL-90)
Time frame: 0 weeks and 8 or 10 weeks
Change in baseline on the Symptoms Checklist 90 (SCL-90)
Time frame: 0 weeks and 24 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Mar 2018.
- BackgroundRozental, A., Forsström, D., Nilsson, S., Rizzo, A., & Carlbring, P. (2014). Group versus Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for procrastination: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Internet Interventions, 1(2), 84-89. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2014.05.005
- Results publication: PubMed 29530258Rozental A, Forsstrom D, Lindner P, Nilsson S, Martensson L, Rizzo A, Andersson G, Carlbring P. Treating Procrastination Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Treatment Delivered via the Internet or in Groups. Behav Ther. 2018 Mar;49(2):180-197. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2017.08.002. Epub 2017 Aug 5.
- Official recruitment websiteLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Related trials for Procrastination
Not yet recruiting
Impact of Slavin's Effective Teaching Model on Procrastination in Nursing Students: a Quasi-Experimental Study
Procrastination, Educational Intervention
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Per Carlbring, PhD principal investigator
Stockholm University
David Forsström, MSc study director
Stockholm University
Alexander Rozental, MSc study director
Stockholm University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Cognitive behavior group therapy and Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy in people with Procrastination, run by Stockholm University at 1 site in Sweden.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Mar 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Sweden. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from baseline on the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS) (time frame: 0 weeks and 8 or 10 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02112383, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Mar 2018; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 29 Oct 2026.