A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Exposure-Based Treatment for Perfectionism

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study is examining the efficacy of a computerized, exposure-based, intervention for perfectionism.

Detailed Description
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The aim of this study is to further test the efficacy of a short-term, computerized exposure-based treatment for perfectionism (ETP) by comparing it to a stress management condition. ETP consists of three tasks in which participants will repeatedly make mistakes during eight sessions over a two-week period (one session every 2 days).

Official Title
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A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Exposure-Based Treatment for Perfectionism

Conditions
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Perfectionism

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Exposure-Based Treatment for Perfectionism
* Behavioral: Stress Management


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: - Score of at least 29 on the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale- Concern over Mistakes subscale Exclusion Criteria: Currently participating in psychotherapy Any changes to psychotropic medications in the past four weeks

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 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: Exposure-Based Treatment for Perfectionism<br>This arm consists of a 2-week computerized, exposure-based intervention. Treatment sessions are completed every 2 days at home (8 treatment sessions total). | Behavioral: Exposure-Based Treatment for Perfectionism<br>* Three tasks focused on exposures are completed. Each treatment session is approximately twenty minutes.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Stress Management Condition<br>This arm consists of a 2-week, computerized, stress-management condition in which participants watch videos of health habits (e.g., nutrition, exercise, sleep) and relaxation videos. These sessions are completed every 2 days at home (8 sessions total). | Behavioral: Stress Management<br>* Videos focused on education about healthy habits and relaxation. Each session is approximately twenty minutes.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS)- Concern Over Mistakes Subscale | Self-report questionnaire examining levels of perfectionism. The concern over mistakes sub-scale includes 9 items with scores ranging from 9 to 45 (higher scores signify higher levels of perfectionism). | Change in levels of perfectionism from baseline to post treatment (2 weeks) and from baseline to follow-up (6 weeks) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) | Self-report measure used to assess depressive symptoms. Total scores range from 0 to 60 with higher scores indicating a higher level of depressive symptoms. | Change in depression symptoms from baseline to post treatment (2 weeks) and from baseline to follow-up (6 weeks) | 
| State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety-Trait Version (STICSA-T) | Self-report measure used to assess generalized anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 21 with higher scores indicating higher levels of generalized anxiety. | Change in generalized anxiety symptoms from baseline to post treatment (2 weeks) and from baseline to follow-up (6 weeks) | 
| Social Phobia inventory (SPIN) | Self-report scale that measures social anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 68 with higher scores indicating higher levels of social anxiety symptoms. | Change in social anxiety symptoms from baseline to post treatment (2 weeks) and from baseline to follow-up (6 weeks) | 
| ED-15 | Self-report scale that measures eating disorder symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 6, with higher mean scores indicating higher levels of eating disorder symptoms. | Change in eating disorder symptoms from baseline to post treatment (2 weeks) and from baseline to follow-up (6 weeks) | 
| Irrational Procrastination Scale | Self-report scale that measures levels of procrastination. Scores range from 9 to 45 with higher scores indicating higher levels of procrastination. | Change in levels of procrastination from baseline to post treatment (2 weeks) and from baseline to follow-up (6 weeks) |