Determining the Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy on Emotion Regulation and Psychological Pain in Women with Experience of Spousal Infidelity
Design
This study is a randomized clinical trial with two parallel groups and double blinding that is conducted in phase II on 30 participants (15 in each group). The allocation of samples is carried out using a simple randomization method with the RAND function in Excel; first, each individual receives an identification code and, based on the random number, they are ordered and divided into two groups of 15 participants.
Settings and conduct
This study will be conducted in counseling centers in the city of Ahvaz among women affected by spousal infidelity. The experimental group will receive mindfulness training, while the control group will receive no intervention. The study is designed as a double‑blind trial, in which the evaluators, clinical caregivers, and data analysts will not be aware of the group allocations.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Be between 20 and 50 years old.
Having at least three years of marital life
At least six months have passed since the disclosure of the spouse’s infidelity
Exclusion Criteria:
Having a physical illness that interferes with the treatment process
Use of psychiatric medications
Intervention groups
Intervention group: Mindfulness training: This intervention is an educational–therapeutic approach based on increasing awareness of the present moment, non‑judgmental observation of experiences, and acceptance of thoughts and feelings, which is implemented based on the protocol of Bowen et al. (2011; cited in Akbarpour et al., 2023) in 8 sessions of 120 minutes for the experimental group.
Control group: They receive no intervention.
Main outcome variables
Emotion Regulation; Psychological Pain
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260511069347N1
Registration date:2026-05-17, 1405/02/27
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2026-05-17, 1405/02/27
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-05-17, 1405/02/27
Registrant information
Name
Neda Fasihizadeh
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 916 303 2689
Email address
ndafsyhyzadh@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-06-05, 1405/03/15
Expected recruitment end date
2026-06-21, 1405/03/31
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy on Emotion Regulation and Psychological Pain in Women with Experience of Spousal Infidelity
Public title
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Be between 20 and 50 years old.
Having at least a high school diploma
Having at least three years of marital life
At least six months have passed since the disclosure of the spouse’s infidelity
Applying for divorce due to the spouse’s infidelity
Exclusion criteria:
Having a physical illness that interferes with the treatment process
Use of psychiatric medications
Age
From 20 years old to 50 years old
Gender
Female
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
Care provider
Outcome assessor
Data analyser
Sample size
Target sample size:
30
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
In this study, a simple randomization method was used to allocate participants to the experimental and control groups. The unit of randomization in this study was women referring to the counseling center. First, a complete list of applicants who were selected based on the study inclusion criteria was prepared. Then, a unique numerical identification code was assigned to each individual. These codes were entered into the Random Number Generator software and a random number was generated for each person. After generating these numbers, individuals were arranged in ascending order based on the value of the random number. Then, participants were allocated to the two groups; sequentially, the first 15 individuals on the list were assigned to the experimental group and the next 15 individuals to the control group. With this method, the order of entry into the study and the researcher’s familiarity with the participants had no role in group selection. To ensure allocation concealment, the person responsible for entering the data into the software was independent from the individuals performing the clinical procedures and could not be aware of or change the allocation process. Furthermore, identification codes were kept confidential and stored separately from the other participants’ information. Therefore, it was not possible to predict the group assigned to each individual before the randomization process was carried out.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Double blinded
Blinding description
In this study, the clinical assessor, outcome evaluator, and data analyst were blinded to the allocation of the study groups.
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
Street address
Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz, Farhang Shahr
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Approval date
2026-04-15, 1405/01/26
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1405.034
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Marital Infidelity
ICD-10 code
Z63.0
ICD-10 code description
Problems in relationship with spouse or partner
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Emotion Regulation
Timepoint
before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention
Method of measurement
Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Garnefski et al., 2001)
2
Description
Psychological Pain
Timepoint
before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention
Method of measurement
Psychological Pain Questionnaire (Orbach et al., 2003)
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: The mindfulness training intervention includes 8 sessions of 120 minutes that are designed with the aim of increasing awareness of the present moment, non‑judgmental observation of experiences, and acceptance of thoughts and emotions. This program is implemented based on the protocol of Bowen et al. (2011; cited in Akbarpour et al., 2023). In the first session, participants become familiar with each other and the structure of the sessions is introduced, and exercises such as mindful raisin eating and body scan meditation are conducted to experience mindful attention. In the second session, awareness of thoughts and emotions and the way of managing intrusive thoughts are taught and sitting meditation is practiced. The third session is devoted to strengthening non‑judgmental observation through mindful seeing and listening exercises, the three‑minute breathing space practice, and mindful body movements. In the fourth session, participants become familiar with ways of responding to difficult situations and perform exercises such as sitting meditation and mindful walking. In the fifth session, sitting meditation and mindful body movements are reinforced and the application of mindfulness in daily activities is strengthened. The sixth session is devoted to awareness of thoughts and experiencing them as merely thoughts and learning skillful ways of coping with problematic thoughts. In the seventh session, the focus is on self‑care, identifying pleasant and unpleasant events, and planning to increase positive experiences in life. In the eighth session, all the learned skills are reviewed and integrated and strategies for continuing
Category
Behavior
2
Description
Control group: They do not receive any intervention or treatment.
Category
N/A
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Rayan Consulting Center
Full name of responsible person
Neda Fasihizadeh
Street address
1st floor, Mahtab Complex, between East 4th and 5th Streets, Kianpars.
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6155867347
Phone
+98 916 303 2689
Email
ndafsyhyzadh@gmail.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Aslan egdernezhad
Street address
Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz, Farhang Shahr.
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Phone
+98 61 3334 8421
Email
a_eigder@yahoo.com
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?