ExerciseABCNCT03139643
Assessment of the Predictors and Moderators of Behavior Change
A study testing Cognitive Dissonance and Action Planning in people with Exercise, run by Boston University Charles River Campus.
Trial summary
The current study aims to investigate two potential interventions (i.e., cognitive dissonance and action planning) for inducing behavior change for behaviors important to college students-studying and exercise. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Exercise
- What is being tested?
- Cognitive Dissonance and Action Planning
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 230 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Jun 2014to Jun 2017
- 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
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Boston University Psychology 101 students at least 18 years of age
- Able to provide informed consent for the study
- Sufficient command of the English language
- Have experience using a computer and mouse
Who cannot join
- None
About this study
The current study aims to investigate two potential interventions (i.e., cognitive dissonance and action planning) for inducing behavior change for behaviors important to college students-studying and exercise. In addition, this study will investigate factors that may impact behavior change, such as psychological and neuropsychological variables, to better understand how to bridge the intention-behavior gap.
- Conditions
- Exercise
- Being tested
- Cognitive Dissonance, Action Planning, Reflection (Control Condition)
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cognitive DissonanceOther
After reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked write an essay about their behavior of choice (studying/exercising). For this essay they will be asked to imagine that they have reached their ideal level of academic achievement/fitness, describe what this would look and feel like, and reflect on how this would impact how they view themselves, their relationships, and their day to day life.
Action PlanningOther
After reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked to make a detailed plan for the following two weeks based on the following items taken from a study by Sniehotta and colleagues (2004): 1) when to complete studying/exercise, 2) where to complete studying/exercise, 3) how to complete studying/exercise (e.g., what types of exercise- cardio, class, etc. or what types of studying activities- reading, taking notes, creating outlines, etc.), and 4) how often to complete studying/exercise. Participants will be given a calendar as an aid to planning their behavior.
Reflection (Control Condition)Other
After reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked to summarize and reflect on what they read.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Dissonance | Experimental | After reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked write an essay about their behavior of choice (studying/exercising). For this essay they will be asked to imagine that they have reached their ideal level of academic achievement/fitness, describe what this would look and feel like, and reflect on how this would impact how they view themselves, their relationships, and their day to day life. Receives: Other: Cognitive Dissonance |
| Action Planning | Experimental | After reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked to make a detailed plan for the following two weeks based on the following items taken from a study by Sniehotta and colleagues (2004): 1) when to complete studying/exercise, 2) where to complete studying/exercise, 3) how to complete studying/exercise (e.g., what types of exercise- cardio, class, etc. or what types of studying activities- reading, taking notes, creating outlines, etc.), and 4) how often to complete studying/exercise. Participants will be given a calendar as an aid to planning their behavior. Receives: Other: Action Planning |
| Reflection (Control Condition) | Placebo comparator | After reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked to summarize and reflect on what they read. Receives: Other: Reflection (Control Condition) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
International Physical Activity Questionnaire
Participants who choose to change their exercising behavior will be administer only this outcome measure; therefore, all participants only complete 1 primary outcome measure.
Measured: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Studying Questionnaire
Participants who choose to change their studying behavior will be administered only this outcome measure; therefore, all participants only complete 1 primary outcome measure.
Measured: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (9)
Distress Intolerance Index
Measure of distress intolerance.
Measured: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS)
Self-report measure of impulsivity.
Measured: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)
Self-report measure of worry.
Measured: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Self-Control Scale (SCS)
Perceived self-control measure.
Measured: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Delay Discounting Questionnaire
Monetary choice task.
Measured: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Self-report measure of sleep quality for the past month.
Measured: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
Self-report measure of depressive symptoms.
Measured: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
Self-report measure of anxiety symptoms experienced in past week.
Measured: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale
Self-report measure of perceived self-efficacy.
Measured: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 May 2017
- Study startJun 2014
- Primary completionDec 2016
- Study completionJun 2017
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for ExerciseStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 230 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Boston University Charles River Campus
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Michael Otto, PhD, Principal investigator, Boston University Charles River Campus
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03139643
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 3555E
- Acronym
- ABC
- Status last verified
- May 2018
- First submitted
- 29 Jul 2016
- Last updated
- 20 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Patten EA, Kredlow MA, Szuhany KL, Keshishian AC, Otto MW. Catching As and Zs: poor sleep quality predicts failures to increase studying time. Sleep Health. 2020 Feb;6(1):15-18. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2019.09.001. Epub 2019 Oct 31.
PubMed 31676201
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Assessment of the Predictors and Moderators of Behavior Change
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03139643
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ABC / 3555E
- Conditions
- Exercise
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 230 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Boston University Charles River CampusUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jun 2014 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2016 (actual)
- Study completion
- Jun 2017 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 May 2017 (actual)
- 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.
The current study aims to investigate two potential interventions (i.e., cognitive dissonance and action planning) for inducing behavior change for behaviors important to college students-studying and exercise. In addition, this study will investigate factors that may impact behavior change, such as psychological and neuropsychological variables, to better understand how to bridge the intention-behavior gap.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Dissonance | Experimental | Other: Cognitive DissonanceAfter reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked write an essay about their behavior of choice (studying/exercising). For this essay they will be asked to imagine that they have reached their ideal level of academic achievement/fitness, describe what this would look and feel like, and reflect on how this would impact how they view themselves, their relationships, and their day to day life. |
| Action Planning | Experimental | Other: Action PlanningAfter reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked to make a detailed plan for the following two weeks based on the following items taken from a study by Sniehotta and colleagues (2004): 1) when to complete studying/exercise, 2) where to complete studying/exercise, 3) how to complete studying/exercise (e.g., what types of exercise- cardio, class, etc. or what types of studying activities- reading, taking notes, creating outlines, etc.), and 4) how often to complete studying/exercise. Participants will be given a calendar as an aid to planning their behavior. |
| Reflection (Control Condition) | Placebo comparator | Other: Reflection (Control Condition)After reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked to summarize and reflect on what they read. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Boston University Psychology 101 students at least 18 years of age
- Able to provide informed consent for the study
- Sufficient command of the English language
- Have experience using a computer and mouse
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- None
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 DissonanceAfter reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked write an essay about their behavior of choice (studying/exercising). For this essay they will be asked to imagine that they have reached their ideal level of academic achievement/fitness, describe what this would look and feel like, and reflect on how this would impact how they view themselves, their relationships, and their day to day life. | Other | Cognitive Dissonance |
| Action PlanningAfter reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked to make a detailed plan for the following two weeks based on the following items taken from a study by Sniehotta and colleagues (2004): 1) when to complete studying/exercise, 2) where to complete studying/exercise, 3) how to complete studying/exercise (e.g., what types of exercise- cardio, class, etc. or what types of studying activities- reading, taking notes, creating outlines, etc.), and 4) how often to complete studying/exercise. Participants will be given a calendar as an aid to planning their behavior. | Other | Action Planning |
| Reflection (Control Condition)After reading the materials about their chosen behavior, participants will be asked to summarize and reflect on what they read. | Other | Reflection (Control Condition) |
Primary outcome
International Physical Activity Questionnaire
Time frame: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Participants who choose to change their exercising behavior will be administer only this outcome measure; therefore, all participants only complete 1 primary outcome measure.
Studying Questionnaire
Time frame: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Participants who choose to change their studying behavior will be administered only this outcome measure; therefore, all participants only complete 1 primary outcome measure.
9 secondary outcomes
Distress Intolerance Index
Time frame: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS)
Time frame: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)
Time frame: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Self-Control Scale (SCS)
Time frame: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Delay Discounting Questionnaire
Time frame: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Time frame: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
Time frame: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
Time frame: Change from baseline to 4 weeks
Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale
Time frame: Change from baseline to 4 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 20 Jul 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 31676201Patten EA, Kredlow MA, Szuhany KL, Keshishian AC, Otto MW. Catching As and Zs: poor sleep quality predicts failures to increase studying time. Sleep Health. 2020 Feb;6(1):15-18. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2019.09.001. Epub 2019 Oct 31.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Michael Otto, PhD principal investigator
Boston University Charles River Campus
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Cognitive Dissonance and Action Planning in people with Exercise, run by Boston University Charles River Campus.
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 1 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 20 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (time frame: Change from baseline to 4 weeks). The study lists 2 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 NCT03139643, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 20 Jul 2026.