Mindfulness meditation and self-monitoring reduced maladaptive daydreaming symptoms: A randomized controlled trial of a brief self-guided web-based program.
Oren Herscu, Eli Somer, Asaf Federman, Nirit Soffer-Dudek
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology May 2023 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000790 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 353 |
| Population | Adults with maladaptive daydreaming; completers averaged 28.3 years old (SD 10.5), 76% female, 77% unmarried |
| Interventions | Mindfulness meditation and self-monitoring psychoeducation motivation enhancement |
| Duration | 8-session intervention with 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | An eight-session internet-based mindfulness and self-monitoring program improved maladaptive daydreaming pathology, frequency, and life functioning with large effect sizes in both intervention groups, while the waiting-list group showed no significant improvement. Mindfulness with self-monitoring was superior to mindfulness alone in the short term, but both were equally effective long term and both outperformed internet-based support forums. Clinically significant improvement was 24% and reliable improvement 39%, maintained at six months. |
Abstract
Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a compulsive form of daydreaming that causes distress and functional impairment. We present the first treatment trial for MD. We tested the effectiveness of an eight-session internet-based self-help training for mindfulness and self-monitoring and compared three groups across three measurement points in time. A sample of 557 people was randomly assigned. A total of 353 participants (age M[SD] = 28.3[10.5], 76% female, 77% unmarried) completed our program: full-intervention group (n = 114, psychoeducation + motivation enhancement + mindfulness + self-monitoring), partial-intervention group (n = 125, identical excluding self-monitoring), and waiting-list group (n = 125, internet-based support as usual). All MD measures assessing daydreaming pathology, daydreaming frequency, and life functioning showed significant improvement with a large effect size (ES) from baseline to posttreatment in both intervention groups, whereas the wait-list group showed no significant improvement, MD: F(3, 349) = 35.76, p < .0001, η² = 0.24; frequency: F(3, 349) = 32.06, p < .001, η² = 0.22; functioning: F(3, 349) = 20.43, p < .001, η² = 0.15. Mindfulness with self-monitoring training for MD was superior to mindfulness alone in the short term, but they both were equally efficient in the long term. Both interventions were superior to relying on internet-based support forums only. The clinically significant improvement rate of mindfulness with self-monitoring training was 24%, while the reliable improvement rate reached 39%. At the 6-month follow-up, achievements were maintained. A brief internet-based intervention program comprising mindfulness meditation and self-monitoring facilitated recovery or improvement in many individuals with MD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and dissociative experiences: Suggested underlying mechanisms and implications for science and practice Frontiers in Psychology March 22, 2023
- Dissociative experiences and self-reported interoceptive traits in maladaptive daydreamers: a network analysis European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience June 23, 2026
- Maladaptive daydreaming should be included as a dissociative disorder in psychiatric manuals: position paper The British Journal of Psychiatry March 17, 2025
- The Role of Momentary Dissociation in the Sensory Cortex: A Neurophysiological Review and its Implications for Maladaptive Daydreaming Medical Science Monitor April 23, 2024