Efficacy of Coherence Therapy for Procrastination

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of Coherence Therapy in treating procrastination. For that, this intervention is compared to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy which was already proved to be efficacious in treating this problem. The method used is a randomized controlled trial.

Detailed Description
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Procrastination is a recognized difficulty that entails negative outcomes regarding performance and subjective well-being. In order to find effective treatments for procrastination, the present study wants to test the efficacy of Coherence Therapy, compared with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Procrastination, negative emotional states and cognitive structure will be assessed in pre-treatment and post-treatment evaluation. A total of 30 students will be randomly assigned to Coherence Therapy (n=15) or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (n=15). In both forms of treatment students will receive three weekly sessions and one more session six to seven weeks after the third session. The treatment will be provided by trained psychotherapists. Findings would clarify the effectiveness of Coherence Therapy for the treatment of procrastination and the change of emotional states and cognitive structure of the students after the treatment.

Official Title
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Efficacy of Coherence Therapy for Procrastination: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Procrastination

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Coherence Therapy
* Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Being a student 19-26 years old A score above 51 on the General Procrastination Scale Exclusion Criteria: Being currently under a psychological treatment Being diagnosed lately with any mental disorder Mental retardation Substantial visual, hearing or cognitive deficits Psychotic symptoms Organic brain dysfunction

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 19 Years
Maximum Age: 26 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Coherence Therapy<br>Individual treatment with Coherence Therapy: three one-hour sessions + one booster session. | Behavioral: Coherence Therapy<br>* Manualized individual treatment (3 + 1 one-hour sessions)<br>|
| Active Comparator: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy<br>Individual treatment with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: three one-hour sessions + one booster session. | Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy<br>* Manualized individual treatment (3 + 1 one-hour sessions)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| General Procrastination Scale (Lay, 1986) | Change from Baseline in General Procrastination Scale measured before and after the therapy in order to determine the level of general procrastination. | Post-treatment assessment (10-12 weeks) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Procrastination, Coherence Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Repertory Grid Technique, Cognitive Conflicts, Personal Dilemmas