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

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Perfectionism
• Interventions: Behavioral: Exposure-Based Treatment for Perfectionism; Behavioral: Stress Management

• Registration Number: NCT05351710
• Lead Sponsor: Florida State University

Brief Summary

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

Detailed Description

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).

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2022-04-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-04-24
• Study First Posted: 2022-04-28
• Study Start: 2022-08-30
• Primary Completion: 2022-12-01
• Study Completion: 2023-04-13
• Results First Submitted: 2023-05-25
• Results First Submitted QC: 2024-02-01
• Status Verified: 2024-07
• Results First Posted: 2024-07-15
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-07-16
• Last Update Posted: 2024-08-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 85

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Exposure-Based Treatment for Perfectionism	Exposure-Based Treatment for Perfectionism	This arm consists of a 2-week computerized, exposure-based intervention. Treatment sessions are completed every 2 days at home (8 treatment sessions total).
Stress Management Condition	Stress Management	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).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS)- Concern Over Mistakes Subscale	Baseline, post treatment (2 weeks), and follow-up (6 weeks)	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).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
ED-15	Baseline, post treatment (2 weeks), and follow-up (6 weeks)	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.
Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)	Baseline, post treatment (2 weeks), and follow-up (6 weeks)	Self-report scale that measures social anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 68 with higher scores indicating higher levels of social anxiety symptoms.
Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)	Baseline, post treatment (2 weeks), and follow-up (6 weeks)	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.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7	Baseline, post treatment (2 weeks), and follow-up (6 weeks)	Self-report measure used to assess generalized anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 21 with higher scores indicating higher levels of generalized anxiety.
Irrational Procrastination Scale	Baseline, post treatment (2 weeks), and follow-up (6 weeks)	Self-report scale that measures levels of procrastination. Scores range from 9 to 45 with higher scores indicating higher levels of procrastination.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Florida State University, Department of Psychology; 🇺🇸 Tallahassee, Florida, United States