ProcrastinationNCT06357364
Neural Changes Following Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Procrastination
A study testing Psychoeducation and cognitive modules, Behavioral module: Starting on Time and Planning Realistically and Behavioral module: Working Time Restriction in people with Procrastination, run by Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences at 1 site in Poland.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 26 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Procrastination
- What is being tested?
- Psychoeducation and cognitive modules, Behavioral module: Starting on Time and Planning Realistically and Behavioral module: Working Time Restriction
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 293 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePoland
- Study dates
- 8 Apr 2024to 15 Jan 2026
- 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 to 26 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
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- 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)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Poland1 site
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences
Warsaw, 02-093
About this study
Official title: Neural Changes Following Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for Procrastination: An fMRI and EEG Randomized Controlled Trial of Two CBT Protocols
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
- Being tested
- Psychoeducation and cognitive modules, Behavioral module: Starting on Time and Planning Realistically, Behavioral module: Working Time Restriction
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Psychoeducation and cognitive modulesBehavioural
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 RealisticallyBehavioural
Learning of realistic planning, and timely starting of work.
Behavioral module: Working Time RestrictionBehavioural
Restriction of allowed time for work, and gradual increase of allowed time, if previous time windows where effectively used.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Techniques of Starting on Time and Planning Realistically | Experimental | 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. Receives: Behavioral: Psychoeducation and cognitive modules; Behavioral: Behavioral module: Starting on Time and Planning Realistically |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Technique of Working Time Restriction | Experimental | 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. Receives: Behavioral: Psychoeducation and cognitive modules; Behavioral: Behavioral module: Working Time Restriction |
| Wait-list control group | No intervention | no intervention |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Polish version of the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS)
Assessment of procrastination level. The Polish version of PPS consists of 12 items that evaluate procrastination conceptualized as a dysfunctional delay (e.g. "I am continually saying I'll do it tomorrow"; "I delay making decisions until it's too late"). Participants respond on a 5-point scale (1 = "very seldom or not true of me"; 2 = "seldom true of me"; 3 = "sometimes true of me"; 4 = "often true of me"; 5 = "very often true of true of me")
Measured: baseline assessment (week 0); mid-treatment assessment (week 3); post-treatment assessment (week 6); follow-up assessment (6 months after post-treatment assessment)
Change in Polish version of the Aitken Procrastination Inventory (API)
Assessment of academic procrastination level. The Polish version of API consists of 19 items that evaluate the tendency of students to procrastinate in their academic tasks (e.g. "If I had an important project to do, I'd get started on it as quickly as possible", "Getting down to work often takes me a long time."). Participants respond on a 5-point scale (1 = "false"; 2 = "mostly false"; 3 = " sometimes false/sometimes true"; 4 = "mostly true"; 5 = "true").
Measured: baseline assessment (week 0); mid-treatment assessment (week 3); post-treatment assessment (week 6); follow-up assessment (6 months after post-treatment assessment)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in Polish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
Assessment of depressive symptoms. The Polish version of PHQ-9 consists of 9 items that evaluate the occurrence of depressive symptoms in the last 2 weeks (e.g. "Little interest or enjoyment of your activities"). Participants respond on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = "not at all"; 1 = "on a few days"; 2 = "on more than half of the days"; 3 = "nearly every day").
Measured: baseline assessment (week 0); mid-treatment assessment (week 3); post-treatment assessment (week 6); follow-up assessment (6 months after post-treatment assessment)
Change in Polish version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7)
Assessment of anxiety symptoms. The Polish version of GAD-7 consists of 7 items that evaluate the occurrence of anxiety and excessive worry symptoms in the last 2 weeks (e.g. "Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen"). Participants respond on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = "not at all"; 1 = "on a few days"; 2 = "on more than half of the days"; 3 = "nearly every day").
Measured: baseline assessment (week 0); mid-treatment assessment (week 3); post-treatment assessment (week 6); follow-up assessment (6 months after post-treatment assessment)
Percentage of completion of a particular project that the participant decided to work on during the training (e.g. a thesis, an essay, a report).
Before and after therapy they will be asked to assess the percentage of the project that has been completed. The higher the difference between the two assessments the better the outcome.
Measured: baseline assessment (week 0); mid-treatment assessment (week 3); post-treatment assessment (week 6)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Apr 2024
- Study start8 Apr 2024
- Primary completion15 Jan 2026
- Study completion15 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- 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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 293 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Collaborators
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Marek Wypych, PhD, DSc, Principal investigator, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of SciencesJarosław Michałowski, Prof., Principal investigator, SWPS University of Social Sciences and HumanitiesJoachim Kowalski, PhD, Principal investigator, Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06357364
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CBT_Procrastination_Neuro
- Status last verified
- Nov 2024
- First submitted
- 18 Mar 2024
- Last updated
- 9 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Neural Changes Following Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for Procrastination: An fMRI and EEG Randomized Controlled Trial of Two CBT Protocols
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06357364
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CBT_Procrastination_Neuro
- Conditions
- Procrastination
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 293 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of SciencesOther government
- Collaborators
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences
- Study start
- 8 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Apr 2024 (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 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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Techniques of Starting on Time and Planning Realistically | Experimental | Behavioral: Psychoeducation and cognitive modules, Behavioral: Behavioral module: Starting on Time and Planning Realistically5 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. |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Technique of Working Time Restriction | Experimental | Behavioral: Psychoeducation and cognitive modules, Behavioral: Behavioral module: Working Time Restriction5 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. |
| Wait-list control group | No intervention | –no intervention |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 26 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- 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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Psychoeducation and cognitive modulesPsychoeducation and cognitive modules: what is procrastination, role of rewards, work environment, belief identification, cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention. | Behavioural | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Technique of Working Time Restriction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Techniques of Starting on Time and Planning Realistically |
| Behavioral module: Starting on Time and Planning RealisticallyLearning of realistic planning, and timely starting of work. | Behavioural | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Techniques of Starting on Time and Planning Realistically |
| Behavioral module: Working Time RestrictionRestriction of allowed time for work, and gradual increase of allowed time, if previous time windows where effectively used. | Behavioural | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Technique of Working Time Restriction |
Primary outcome
Change in Polish version of the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS)
Time frame: baseline assessment (week 0); mid-treatment assessment (week 3); post-treatment assessment (week 6); follow-up assessment (6 months after post-treatment assessment)
Assessment of procrastination level. The Polish version of PPS consists of 12 items that evaluate procrastination conceptualized as a dysfunctional delay (e.g. "I am continually saying I'll do it tomorrow"; "I delay making decisions until it's too late"). Participants respond on a 5-point scale (1 = "very seldom or not true of me"; 2 = "seldom true of me"; 3 = "sometimes true of me"; 4 = "often true of me"; 5 = "very often true of true of me")
Change in Polish version of the Aitken Procrastination Inventory (API)
Time frame: baseline assessment (week 0); mid-treatment assessment (week 3); post-treatment assessment (week 6); follow-up assessment (6 months after post-treatment assessment)
Assessment of academic procrastination level. The Polish version of API consists of 19 items that evaluate the tendency of students to procrastinate in their academic tasks (e.g. "If I had an important project to do, I'd get started on it as quickly as possible", "Getting down to work often takes me a long time."). Participants respond on a 5-point scale (1 = "false"; 2 = "mostly false"; 3 = " sometimes false/sometimes true"; 4 = "mostly true"; 5 = "true").
3 secondary outcomes
Change in Polish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
Time frame: baseline assessment (week 0); mid-treatment assessment (week 3); post-treatment assessment (week 6); follow-up assessment (6 months after post-treatment assessment)
Change in Polish version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7)
Time frame: baseline assessment (week 0); mid-treatment assessment (week 3); post-treatment assessment (week 6); follow-up assessment (6 months after post-treatment assessment)
Percentage of completion of a particular project that the participant decided to work on during the training (e.g. a thesis, an essay, a report).
Time frame: baseline assessment (week 0); mid-treatment assessment (week 3); post-treatment assessment (week 6)
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 9 Apr 2026.
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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.
Marek Wypych, PhD, DSc principal investigator
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences
Jarosław Michałowski, Prof. principal investigator
SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Joachim Kowalski, PhD principal investigator
Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Psychoeducation and cognitive modules, Behavioral module: Starting on Time and Planning Realistically and Behavioral module: Working Time Restriction in people with Procrastination, run by Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences at 1 site in Poland.
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 7 inclusion and 9 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 9 Apr 2026. 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 Poland. 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 in Polish version of the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS) (time frame: baseline assessment (week 0); mid-treatment assessment (week 3); post-treatment assessment (week 6); follow-up assessment (6 months after post-treatment assessment)). 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?
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 9 Apr 2026.