Effects of Darkness Retreat: a Pilot Study
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age30-50
SponsorUniversity of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw
About this trial
The primary goal of this pilot study is to test the feasibility and safety of a research protocol for a voluntary darkness retreat.
The study will also allow for a preliminary examination of the psychological effects of the retreat. The investigators will investigate whether participants experience changes in their well-being and ruminative style, whether these changes persist over time, and if these effects are moderated by individual characteristics such as readiness for change or subjective evaluation of the experience as well as frequency of participants' monitoring.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups, both of which will spend 3 days and 3 nights in seclusion. These groups will differ only in the frequency of psychological monitoring during the retreat, allowing us to compare the effectiveness and safety of each protocol.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
None
Disqualifiers
None
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Darkness Retreat - Several Days of Seclusion in Complete Darkness
Other interventionThe intervention is a voluntary darkness retreat involving three days and three nights of continuous seclusion in a completely dark cabin, with no access to external light sources or electronic devices. During the retreat, participants are consulted about their well-being through a standardized interview protocol, with consultation frequency determined by their assigned group. Participants in both groups will be equipped with WHOOP wristbands - devices monitoring physiological activity. These wristbands will serve a dual purpose: From a research perspective, they will provide access to biological data- circadian rhythm patterns and heart rate variability, offering deeper insights into the physiological processes accompanying the darkness retreat experience. From a safety perspective, they will enable real-time monitoring of participants' condition, supporting one of the main goals of the pilot study: ensuring participant safety while assessing the feasibility of the procedure.
Treatment groups
30 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Low-frequency monitoringExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: High-frequency monitoringExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Study Protocol Feasibility
Feasibility will be assessed based on participant recruitment and retention rates, adherence to the intervention schedule, completeness of data collection at all time points, and occurrence of any adverse events during the darkness retreat.
Time frame
From recruitment start until completion of the six-month follow-up.2
Penn State Worry Questionnaire Score Change
The total sum score of the Polish version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire.
Time frame
Time point 1: Just prior to the intervention. Time point 2: Immediately after the intervention. Time point 3: Six months after the previous measurement (time point 2).Secondary outcomes
1
CESD-R Score Change
The total sum score of the Polish version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised.
Time frame
Time point 1: Just prior to the intervention. Time point 2: Immediately after the intervention. Time point 3: Six months after the previous measurement (time point 2).2
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Score Change
The total sum score of the Polish version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.
Time frame
Time point 1: Just prior to the intervention. Time point 2: Immediately after the intervention. Time point 3: Six months after the previous measurement (time point 2).3
Abbreviated Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Score Change
The total sum score of the Polish version of the Abbreviated Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire.
Time frame
Time point 1: Just prior to the intervention. Time point 2: Immediately after the intervention. Time point 3: Six months after the previous measurement (time point 2).4
Ruminative Thoughts Questionnaire Score Change
The total sum score of the Polish version of the Ruminative Thoughts Questionnaire.
Time frame
Time point 1: Just prior to the intervention. Time point 2: Immediately after f the intervention. Time point 3: Six months after the previous measurement (time point 2).Other outcomes
1
Personal Development Initiative Scale score change
The total sum score of the Polish version of the Personal Development Initiative Scale.
Time frame
Time point 1: Just prior to the intervention. Time point 2: Immediately after the intervention. Time point 3: Six months after the previous measurement (time point 2).2
Client Satisfaction Questionnaire score change
The total sum score of the Polish version Client Satisfaction Questionnaire.
Time frame
Time point 2: Immediately after the intervention. Time point 3: Six months after the previous measurement (time point 2).3
Credibility/Expectations Questionnaire score change
The total sum score of the Polish version of Credibility/Expectations Questionnaire
Time frame
Time point 1: Just prior to the intervention. Time point 2: Immediately after the intervention. Time point 3: Six months after the previous measurement (time point 2).4
Negative Effects of Intervention Questionnaire score change
The total sum score of the Polish version of the Negative Effects of Intervention Questionnaire.
Time frame
Time point 1: Just prior to the intervention. Time point 2: Immediately after the intervention. Time point 3: Six months after the previous measurement (time point 2).Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw
Lead sponsor
University SWPS
Sponsor institution
Within Properties
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov