Clinical trial NCT05235243: Can Mindfulness and Self-monitoring Improve Control Over Maladaptive Daydreaming?
Official title: Can Mindfulness Meditation and Self-monitoring Can Help Improve Control Over Maladaptive Daydreaming: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Self-guided Web-based Program
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Internet-Based Intervention
Psychological Intervention
Intervention Study
Keywords: maladaptive daydreaming
immersive daydreaming
absorption
dissociation
behavioral addiction
compulsive behavior
RCT
Lead sponsor: University of Haifa
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2022-02-11
Enrollment: 697
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: An RCT in a double-blind setting comparing three groups across three measurement points in time (baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up)
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a compulsive form of daydreaming that causes distress and functional impairment among tens of thousands of self-diagnosed sufferers. This is the first controlled treatment trial for MD. The investigators built an internet-based self-help program for MD and tested the effectiveness of mindfulness and self-monitoring in improving control over MD, comparing three groups across three measurement points in time.

Detailed description: Objective: Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a compulsive form of daydreaming that causes distress and functional impairment among tens of thousands of self-diagnosed sufferers. This is the first controlled treatment trial for MD. Method: The investigators built an internet-based self-help program for MD and tested the effectiveness of mindfulness and self-monitoring in improving control over MD, compared to internet-based support as usual (waiting-list group). Participants were randomly assigned to three groups and measured across three points in time (baseline, post-intervention, and 6 months follow-up). The investigators measured the change in daydreaming pathology (MDS-16), daydreaming frequency (DDFS), and daydreaming functioning (DWSAS), alongside changes in psychiatric symptoms (BSI), and intervention outcome (OQ). Changes in mindful attention and awareness skills, compliance with program requirements, and feedback to the program were also measured.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age above 18 years
* MD diagnosis
* Not being in any concurrent treatment for MD
* English fluent
* Daily access to the internet, and to a device with internet access
* Give informed consent to the study
* Respondents who reported being on a stable dose of medication for at least three months could take part in the study provided that they did not change their dosages while participating in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age under 18 years
* No MD diagnosis
* In concurrent psychology therapy for MD
* Not fluent in English
* Not having a daily internet access
* Taking medication for less than three months

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change from baseline in maladaptive daydreaming
timeFrame: Baseline, post, and follow-up (8 month total)
measure: Change from baseline in daydreaming frequency
timeFrame: Baseline, post, and follow-up (8 month total)
measure: Change from baseline in work and social adjustment
timeFrame: Baseline, post, and follow-up (8 month total)
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Change from baseline in psychiatric symptoms
timeFrame: Baseline, post, and follow-up (8 month total)
measure: Change from baseline in intervention outcome
timeFrame: Baseline, post, and follow-up (8 month total)
Other outcomes:
measure: Change from baseline mindful attention awareness
timeFrame: Baseline, post, and follow-up (8 month total)
measure: The Feedback Questionnaire
timeFrame: Post-intervention, and follow-up (6 month total)
measure: The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire
timeFrame: Baseline (1 day)
Locations:
city: Haifa
country: Israel
facility: University of Haifa
Study officials:
affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Israel
name: Oren Herscu, PhD
role: STUDY_CHAIR
affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Israel
name: Eli Somer, PhD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
name: Nirit Soffer-Dudek, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: