Research Update

Maladaptive daydreaming is a type of compulsive daydreaming that causes distress and can interfere with functioning.  These investigators studied the impact of an eight-session internet-based training for mindfulness and self-monitoring among participants recruited from on-line support forums.  A total of 557 people were randomly assigned to three groups: one received education + motivation enhancement + mindfulness + self-monitoring; one received all the same components except no self-monitoring; and one was placed on a waiting-list and had continued access to the internet-support forums.

All maladaptive daydreaming measures showed significant improvement with a large effect size from baseline to post treatment in both intervention groups, whereas the wait-list group showed no significant improvement.  Mindfulness with self-monitoring training for maladaptive daydreaming was superior to mindfulness alone post-treatment, but they were equally effective after six months. Both interventions were superior to relying on internet-based support forums only.

The authors concluded that a brief internet-based intervention that includes mindfulness meditation and self-monitoring can facilitate improvement in many individuals with maladaptive daydreaming.