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Comparing the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy with compassion-focused therapy on cognitive flexibility, maladaptive magnification, and parenting stress in mothers of children with autism

Protocol summary

Study aim
Comparing the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy with compassion-focused therapy on cognitive flexibility, maladaptive magnification, and parenting stress in mothers of children with autism
Design
A clinical trial study with a control group, with parallel groups, is selected through a purposive method, and then, from the 45 people who were selected, they are non-randomly placed into two experimental groups and a control group.
Settings and conduct
45 mothers of children with autism were selected according to the research criteria and then divided into two intervention groups and a control group, each group consisting of 15 people, and blinding was not performed.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Informed consent to participate in the study, having a child with autism, age range 30 to 50 years. Exclusion criteria: Use of psychiatric medications and psychological treatments during the study based on clinical interview, history of using similar interventions in the period close to the study
Intervention groups
Intervention 1: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Helps clients achieve a more fulfilling life by increasing psychological flexibility and has six central processes: cognitive dissonance, acceptance, connection to the present, self as context, values, and committed action. This intervention will be delivered by the researcher for 8, 60-minute sessions each week. Intervention 2: Compassion-Focused Therapy: In the present study, therapists help clients by creating and enhancing an internal compassionate relationship with themselves, rather than blaming, condemning, or self-criticizing them. This intervention will be delivered by the researcher for 8, 60-minute sessions each week. Control Group: No therapy will be provided to them.
Main outcome variables
Cognitive flexibility, maladaptive magnification, and parenting stress

General information

Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number: IRCT20250819066913N1
Registration date: 2025-09-21, 1404/06/30
Registration timing: registered_while_recruiting

Last update: 2025-09-21, 1404/06/30
Update count: 0
Registration date
2025-09-21, 1404/06/30
Registrant information
Name
zohre shams some kabodin
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 21 3383 0844
Email address
zohre.shamssomekabodin@iau.ir
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2025-09-06, 1404/06/15
Expected recruitment end date
2025-12-06, 1404/09/15
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
Comparing the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy with compassion-focused therapy on cognitive flexibility, maladaptive magnification, and parenting stress in mothers of children with autism
Public title
Comparing the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy with compassion-focused therapy
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Informed consent to participate in research Having a child with autism Age range 30 to 50 years
Exclusion criteria:
Use of psychiatric medications and psychological treatments during the study based on clinical interviews History of using similar interventions in the time period close to the study
Age
From 30 years old to 50 years old
Gender
Female
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size: 45
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Not randomized
Randomization description
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features

Secondary Ids

empty

Ethics committees

1

Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz Branch
Street address
Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch, , Farhang Shahr, Golestan Highway
City
ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Approval date
2025-06-07, 1404/03/17
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1404.146

Health conditions studied

1

Description of health condition studied
autism
ICD-10 code
F84.1
ICD-10 code description
Atypical autism

Primary outcomes

1

Description
Cognitive flexibility
Timepoint
At the beginning of the study (before the intervention) and about three months after the intervention, i.e. after the intervention was completed.
Method of measurement
Dennis and Vanderwaal Cognitive Acceptance Questionnaire

2

Description
Non-adaptive magnification
Timepoint
At the beginning of the study (before the intervention) and about three months after the intervention, i.e. after the intervention was completed.
Method of measurement
Riskind et al.'s maladaptive magnification questionnaire

3

Description
Parenting stress
Timepoint
At the beginning of the study (before the intervention) and about three months after the intervention, i.e. after the intervention was completed.
Method of measurement
Abidin Parenting Stress Questionnaire

Secondary outcomes

empty

Intervention groups

1

Description
Intervention group 1: Acceptance and commitment therapy: The goal of this therapy is to help clients achieve a more valuable and satisfying life by increasing psychological flexibility and has six central processes: cognitive dysfunction, acceptance, connection with the present, self as context, values, and committed action. The acceptance and commitment therapy intervention program, designed by Hayes et al., was taught to the study subjects in 8 60-minute sessions, once a week for three months. Session 1: Introduction and structuring of the group, Session 2: Identification of members' problem behaviors and introduction to ACT therapy, Review of assignments, Session 3: Creation of the concept of creative helplessness, Session 4: Present tense, Session 5: Acceptance, Session 6: Defusion (faulting) of the self as context (observing self), Session 7: Values ​​and committed action, Session 8: Review of the group process and experiences, Summary of sessions, Post-test.
Category
Behavior

2

Description
Intervention group 2: Compassion-based therapy: It includes the three principles of mindfulness, self-kindness, and a sense of sharing with humanity. The main focus of this therapy is to cultivate a compassionate mind; therefore, therapists help clients by creating and increasing an internal compassionate relationship with themselves, instead of blaming, condemning, or self-criticizing them. In the present study, the structure of the sessions is taken from Gilbert's book Compassion-Focused Therapy, translated by Affirmative and Grace. In 8 60-minute sessions, the subjects under study are taught once a week for three months. Session 1: Introduction to the general principles of compassion-based therapy, Session 2: Introduction to self-critical behavior and thoughts, Session 3: Accepting mistakes and forgiving oneself, Session 4: Understanding and being able to tolerate difficult situations, Session 5: Creating pleasant emotions, Session 6: Introduction to compassionate behavior, Session 7: Training in compassionate mental imagery, Session 8: Reviewing training topics.
Category
Behavior

3

Description
Control group: No psychological treatment will be given to the control group.
Category
Behavior

Recruitment centers

1

Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Paya Autism Rehabilitation Center, Tehran
Full name of responsible person
zohre Shams Some kabodin
Street address
Aria Complex a, Nasim 6, Chitgar, Kohak St
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1491663438
Phone
+98 21 3383 0844
Email
zohrehshams95@gmail.com

Sponsors / Funding sources

1

Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Dr. Pejman Taghipour Birgani
Street address
Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Farhang Shahr, Golestan Highway
City
ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Phone
+98 61 3334 8324
Email
info@iauahvaz.ac.ir
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Islamic Azad University
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic

Person responsible for general inquiries

Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
zohre Shams Some kabodin
Position
PhD student
Latest degree
Master
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Aria Complex a, Nasim 6, Chitgar, Kohak St
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1491663438
Phone
+98 21 3383 0844
Email
zohrehshams95@gmail.com

Person responsible for scientific inquiries

Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Dr. Reza Joharifard
Position
Assistant Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Farhang Shahr, Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Phone
+98 61 3334 8324
Email
rjoharifard@gmail.com

Person responsible for updating data

Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
zohre Shams Some kabodin
Position
PhD student
Latest degree
Master
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Aria Complex a, Nasim 6, Chitgar, Kohak St
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1491663438
Phone
+98 21 3383 0844
Email
zohrehshams95@gmail.com

Sharing plan

Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
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