The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training Based on Stress (MBSR) Reduction on Reducing Arousal Levels, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Anger Suppression in Students with Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training Based on Stress (MBSR) Reduction on Reducing Arousal Levels, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Anger Suppression in Students with Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
Design
A controlled clinical trial with parallel groups, without blinding, randomized, on 40 patients. The rand function of Excel software will be used for randomization.
Settings and conduct
The statistical population of this study includes all female and male students at various academic levels of Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch, in the 2025–2026 academic year who exhibit symptoms of social anxiety disorder (i.e., score below the cutoff on the SIAS scale). In the sample selection stage, convenience sampling will be used. After selecting a sample of 40 participants, and based on the study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria, the participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: the “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” group (intervention group) and the “waiting list” group (control group).
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Being a student in one of the academic programs of the university under study. Having symptoms of social anxiety disorder based on a clinical interview or a high score on the relevant standard questionnaire. Exclusion criteria: Not willing to participate in the research, participating simultaneously in similar psychological or pharmacological courses.
Intervention groups
Intervention group: All individuals who will receive the mindfulness-based stress reduction training intervention.
Control group: All individuals who will not receive any intervention.
Main outcome variables
Arousal, Anxiety Sensitivity, Anger, Social Anxiety
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260511069341N1
Registration date:2026-05-12, 1405/02/22
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2026-05-12, 1405/02/22
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-05-12, 1405/02/22
Registrant information
Name
Parisa Kamaei
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 61 3333 3333
Email address
parisa.kamaei@iau.ir
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-05-27, 1405/03/06
Expected recruitment end date
2026-06-10, 1405/03/20
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training Based on Stress (MBSR) Reduction on Reducing Arousal Levels, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Anger Suppression in Students with Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
Public title
The effectiveness of mindfulness training based on stress reduction on emotional components of students with social anxiety symptoms
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Being a student in one of the academic programs of the studied university
Having symptoms of social anxiety disorder based on a clinical interview or a high score on the relevant standardized questionnaire
Age range 18 to 24 years
Exclusion criteria:
Unwillingness to participate in research
Simultaneous participation in similar psychological or pharmacological courses
Age
From 18 years old to 24 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
40
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
The statistical population of this study includes all female and male students at various academic levels of Islamic Azad University in the 2025–2026 academic year who exhibit symptoms of social anxiety disorder (i.e., score below the cutoff on the SIAS scale). In this type of efficacy study, a two-stage approach is usually used: in the sample selection stage, convenience sampling is employed. After selecting a sample of 40 participants, and based on the study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria, the participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: the “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” group (intervention group) and the “waiting list” group (control group). Randomization will be performed using random blocks with variable sizes (4 and 6 participants) by an independent statistician who is not involved in the implementation process. The random allocation list will be generated using the RAND function in Excel and then placed in opaque, sealed, and numbered envelopes so that neither the researcher nor the participants are aware of the allocation sequence (allocation concealment). Opening the envelope and informing the participant of the assigned group will take place only when each participant enters the study. To ensure the equivalence of baseline variables (such as anxiety level and age), their distribution in the two groups will be examined in the statistical analysis stage.
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
1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention
Method of measurement
The measurement method will be the Henry and Crawford (2005) Physiological Arousal Scale.
2
Description
Anxiety Sensitivity
Timepoint
1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention
Method of measurement
The measurement method will be the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 of Taylor and Cox (1998).
3
Description
Anger
Timepoint
1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention
Method of measurement
The method of measurement will be the Spielberger (1999) trait-state anger expression questionnaire.
4
Description
Social Anxiety
Timepoint
1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention
Method of measurement
The method of measurement will be the Jerabek Social Anxiety Questionnaire (1996).
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training.Duration of each session: 90 minutes; Total number of sessions: 8 sessions; Session sequence: twice a week.Therapeutic tools used:This intervention relies on cultivating moment-to-moment awareness, intentional attention, acceptance of inner experiences, and reducing reactivity to unpleasant thoughts and emotions. The main therapeutic tools include mindfulness exercises, body scan, sitting meditation, mindful breathing practice, gentle yoga movements, and present-moment attention exercises.The content of the different sessions is based on the following:Session 1: Administration of the pre-test, introduction of group members, introduction to mindfulness, and familiarization with the goals and structure of the program.Session 2: Training in attention to breathing and body scan practice.Session 3: Continuation of the body scan and practice of bringing attention back to the present moment.Session 4: Training in sitting meditation and accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment.Session 5: Practice of gentle mindful movements and simple yoga.Session 6: Training in mindful exposure to stress and observing thoughts and emotions.Session 7: Review and consolidation of the learned skills and practice of applying them in daily life.Session 8: Summary, feedback collection, administration of the post-test, and scheduling the follow-up assessment.
Category
Treatment - Other
2
Description
Control group:The control group will not receive any intervention during the research, but will receive the intervention after data collection to prevent factors that threaten the internal validity of the research, such as compensatory competition from the control group or demoralization.