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Mind tricks for motivation: study tests whether writing essays or making plans can boost studying and exercise.

NCT ID NCT03139643

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Boston University Charles River Campus Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 20, 2026 · Last updated Jul 21, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at two simple techniques—cognitive dissonance (writing about your ideal self) and action planning (making a detailed plan)—to help college students improve their studying or exercise habits. Researchers will also measure psychological factors like distress tolerance and impulsivity to understand what helps people follow through on their intentions. Participants are Boston University students who choose to focus on either studying or exercise.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
cognitive dissonance and action planning interventions
What this could lead to
If successful, this could reveal simple psychological techniques to help people turn good intentions into real behavior change.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study in college students, so results may not apply to the general population. The interventions are brief and may not produce lasting change.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

230 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jun 2014

Finished

Jun 2017

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Boston University Psychology 101 students at least 18 years of age * Able to provide informed consent for the study * Sufficient command of the English language * Have experience using a computer and mouse Exclusion Criteria: * None

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Motor Activity

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Exercise

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.