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IRCT20260605069653N1 IRCT 2026-06-08 Islamic Azad University Effectiveness of Self-Compassion Training on Mental Health in Women with Multiple Sclerosis Studying the effectiveness of self-compassion therapy on perceived stress, self-differentiation, and functional flexibility in women with Multiple Sclerosis 2026-07-01 anticipated 40 Complete https://irct.ir/trial/90664 interventional Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Not blinded, Placebo: Not used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Education/Guidance, Randomization description: The statistical population of this study includes all women with multiple sclerosis who have been given a definitive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis by a specialist physician and psychotherapist in a clinical interview and who will refer to the MS Association during the study period. In the sample selection stage, convenience sampling method will be used. After selecting a sample of 40 people based on the study's entry and exit criteria, participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: "self-compassion therapy training" (intervention group) and "waiting list" (control group). Randomization will be performed using the random block method with variable sizes (4 and 6 people) 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 software and then placed in opaque, sealed, and numbered envelopes so that the researcher and participants are not aware of the allocation sequence (allocation concealment). Opening the envelope and informing the group allocation will only be done when each participant enters the study. To ensure the equality of the baseline variables (such as anxiety level, age), their distribution in the two groups will be examined during the statistical analysis stage. N/A Multiple sclerosis. Intervention 1: Intervention group: Self-compassion therapy; Duration: 90 minutes; Number of sessions: 8 sessions; Sequence of sessions: twice a week; Tools: Body-focused mindfulness, compassionate imagery, thought-distancing techniques (for resilience), and emotional boundary exercises (for self-differentiation). Session summary: Session 1: Pre-test; Introduction to the concepts of compassion and its connection with acceptance of MS disease conditions. Session 2: Recognition of the "inner critic" and its effect on perceived stress; Separation of one's feelings from the psychological burden caused by the disease. Session 3: Mindfulness training for managing physical pain; Practice soothing breathing to reduce stress responses of the nervous system. Session 4: Strengthening self-differentiation; Learning to have an "observing self" against the psychological pressures of the environment and others. Session 5: Promoting functional flexibility; Using the compassionate letter writing technique to change the response from "avoidance" to "active acceptance". Session 6: Examining barriers and fears to self-compassion; confronting emotions such as grief or anger regarding physical changes. Session 7: Practicing compassionate imagery to rebuild a compassionate view of the "body"; establishing coping strategies for dealing with stressors of illness. Session 8: Integration; focusing on maintaining autonomy and healthy boundaries (differentiation); implementing a post-test and follow-up plan. Intervention 2: Control group: The control group will not receive any intervention during the research, but to prevent factors that threaten the internal validity of the research, such as compensatory competition from the control group or demoralization, they will receive a self-compassion therapy intervention after data collection. Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available Justification or reason for indecision in sharing IPD is Due to the lack of completion of the research work and the lack of writing the article, which is a requirement for publishing the data, I will publish the data as soon as the aforementioned issues are resolved.
public Maryam Savari
No. 28, Jouibar 2 Street, behind the gas station, Pardis
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6139715614 +98 61 3333 3333 asasdhddhjn@gmail.com Islamic Azad University scientific Maryam Savari
No. 28, Jouibar 2 Street, behind the gas station, Pardis
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6139715614 +98 61 3333 3333 asasdhddhjn@gmail.com Islamic Azad University Iran (Islamic Republic of) Women between the ages of 20 and 40 years Definitive diagnosis of MS by a clinical specialist 20 years 40 years Female Unwillingness to participate in research Participating in other psychotherapy sessions at the same time as the research G35 Multiple sclerosis Treatment - Other Treatment - Other Intervention group: Self-compassion therapy; Duration: 90 minutes; Number of sessions: 8 sessions; Sequence of sessions: twice a week; Tools: Body-focused mindfulness, compassionate imagery, thought-distancing techniques (for resilience), and emotional boundary exercises (for self-differentiation). Session summary: Session 1: Pre-test; Introduction to the concepts of compassion and its connection with acceptance of MS disease conditions. Session 2: Recognition of the "inner critic" and its effect on perceived stress; Separation of one's feelings from the psychological burden caused by the disease. Session 3: Mindfulness training for managing physical pain; Practice soothing breathing to reduce stress responses of the nervous system. Session 4: Strengthening self-differentiation; Learning to have an "observing self" against the psychological pressures of the environment and others. Session 5: Promoting functional flexibility; Using the compassionate letter writing technique to change the response from "avoidance" to "active acceptance". Session 6: Examining barriers and fears to self-compassion; confronting emotions such as grief or anger regarding physical changes. Session 7: Practicing compassionate imagery to rebuild a compassionate view of the "body"; establishing coping strategies for dealing with stressors of illness. Session 8: Integration; focusing on maintaining autonomy and healthy boundaries (differentiation); implementing a post-test and follow-up plan. Control group: The control group will not receive any intervention during the research, but to prevent factors that threaten the internal validity of the research, such as compensatory competition from the control group or demoralization, they will receive a self-compassion therapy intervention after data collection. Perceived Stress. 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 Cohen et al. (1983) Perceived Stress Questionnaire. Self-Differentiation. 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 Skowron and Friedlander (1998) differentiation questionnaire. Functional Flexibility. 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 using the Connor and Davidson (2003) Functional Flexibility Questionnaire. Islamic Azad University Approved 2026-05-26 Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz Branch Opposite Keshavarz Street, Farhang Shahr, Golestan Highway Ahvaz Khouzestan Iran (Islamic Republic of)