RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07429617

Effects of Darkness Retreat: a Pilot Study

Effect of Darkness Retreat on Worry and Rumination in a Non-clinical Population: a Pilot Study

Sponsor

University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw

Enrollment

30 participants

Start Date

Oct 16, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Study Protocol Feasibility Non Clinical Anxiety Non Clinical Worry Non Clinical Rumination

Summary

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

Min Age: 30 YearsMax Age: 50 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This pilot study is looking at the psychological effects of spending several days in near-total darkness — called a darkness retreat — on university and postgraduate students. Researchers want to understand how this unusual experience affects mood, thinking, and wellbeing. **You may be eligible if...** - You are a university or postgraduate student - You are in good general physical health - You are not currently in psychotherapy or coaching - You are not taking any psychiatric medications **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have a psychiatric or neurological disorder (such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy, stroke, severe brain injury, or dementia) - You are taking psychotropic medication - You have active suicidal thoughts with a plan or intent - You have a chronic serious physical illness (such as heart disease) Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

Interested in this trial?

Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.

Interventions

OTHERDarkness Retreat - Several Days of Seclusion in Complete Darkness

The 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.

Locations(2)

Poznań Laboratory of Affective Neuroscience, Institute of Psychology, SWPS University, Warsaw, Poland

Poznan, Wielkopolska, Poland

SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Poznan, Poland

View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov

For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.

Visit

NCT07429617