Can Mindfulness and Self-monitoring Improve Control Over Maladaptive Daydreaming?

University of Haifa697 enrolled

Overview

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.

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

697

Conditions

Internet-Based Intervention Psychological Intervention Intervention Study

Interventions

Online therapeutic intervention for maladaptive daydreaming based on mindfulness and self-monitoringOTHER

An 8-weeks internet-based self-guided intervention program, accompanied by e-mail. The content of the intervention and training modules comprised texts, illustrations, explanatory video and audio lectures, as well as interactive worksheets embedded in each week's lesson. Typically, a lesson started with a textual description of its target and duration. Then, participants received a summary of what had been taught thus far, and finally, a novel technique or skill was introduced. Each lesson required about 60 minutes to complete. Users had open access to web pages of previous lessons. Upon completion of each lesson, participants received a list of home assignments to practice during the following week. Our internet-based program featured a notification and download center containing the program's materials and pertinent messages from the researchers.

Online therapeutic intervention for maladaptive daydreaming based on mindfulnessOTHER

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Locations (1)

University of Haifa

Haifa, Israel

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from baseline in maladaptive daydreaming

Change in the 16-item Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16) compared to baseline, measured 2 months and 6 months post-intervention. The MDS-16 is the primary self-report scale that gauges maladaptive daydreaming on a 10-point Likert scale. Scores range from 0 to 100, with the mean score of 40 set as an evidence-based cut-off score for clinical-level MD. Higher scores indicate an elevated level of maladaptive daydreaming, hence, a worse outcome.

Time frame: Baseline, post, and follow-up (8 month total)

Change from baseline in daydreaming frequency

Change in the Daydreaming Frequency Scale (DDFS) compared to baseline, measured 2 months and 6 months post-intervention. The DDFS is a 12-item subscale of the Imaginal Processes Inventory, gauging reported daydreaming frequency. Items are marked on a 5-point Likert scale. Scores range from 12 to 60. Higher scores indicate an elevated frequency of daydreaming, hence, a worse outcome.

Time frame: Baseline, post, and follow-up (8 month total)

Change from baseline in work and social adjustment

Change in the Daydreaming Work and Social Adjustment Scale (DWSAS) compared to baseline, measured 2 months and 6 months post-intervention. The DWSAS is a 6-item measure assessing adjustment and disfunction in relation to daydreaming. Items are ranked on a 9-point Likert scale ranging from 0 to 8. The DWSAS scores range from 0 to 48. A score of 12 or lower indicates "no pathology and disfunction". Scores between 12 and 24 indicate "pathology and impaired function", while scores of 24 or above suggest "severe pathology and impaired function".

Time frame: Baseline, post, and follow-up (8 month total)

Secondary Outcomes

Change from baseline in psychiatric symptoms

Change in the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) compared to baseline, measured 2 months and 6 months post-intervention. The BSI is a 53-item scale rated on a 5-point Likert scale of general psychopathology. The BSI is divided into nine subscales: somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, psychoticism, and four additional items. The BSI total score ranges from 0 to 4. Higher scores suggest elevated psychopathology, hence, a worse outcome.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.