Comparing the effectiveness of semantic therapy based on Rumi's thoughts and mindfulness-based stress reduction on caregiving pressure in family caregivers of the elderly
Comparing the effectiveness of semantic therapy based on Rumi's thoughts and mindfulness-based stress reduction on caregiving pressure in family caregivers of the elderly
Design
The research method will be semi-experimental, with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group and a two-month follow-up. 45 people will be selected from the G*Power program through purposive sampling and will be divided into two experimental groups and a control group (15 people each). The two groups will receive the experiment in 8 sessions, and the control group will not receive any intervention during this period.
Settings and conduct
The statistical population of the study will include all family caregivers of the elderly referring to the Mehr Nursing Home in Sari
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
The criteria for entering the research include the following: Informed consent to participate in the research. At least diploma education. Age range from 20 to 60 years. Non-use of psychiatric drugs and psychological treatments during the research based on clinical interview. Also, the exit properties included the following: Unwillingness to continue cooperation in the research. Existence of distorted questionnaires. Absence of more than two sessions
Intervention groups
The first experimental group will receive meaning therapy in 8 75-minute sessions, and the second experimental group will receive mindfulness-based stress reduction in 8 60-minute sessions. During this period, the control group will not receive any intervention.
Main outcome variables
The caregiving stress score is expected to decrease with each treatment.
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260504069259N2
Registration date:2026-07-04, 1405/04/13
Registration timing:registered_while_recruiting
Last update:2026-07-04, 1405/04/13
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-07-04, 1405/04/13
Registrant information
Name
Fateme Gholian nozari
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 11 3454 3597
Email address
fateme.qolian70@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-06-22, 1405/04/01
Expected recruitment end date
2026-07-06, 1405/04/15
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
Comparing the effectiveness of semantic therapy based on Rumi's thoughts and mindfulness-based stress reduction on caregiving pressure in family caregivers of the elderly
Public title
Comparing the effectiveness of semantic therapy based on Rumi's thoughts and mindfulness-based stress reduction on caregiving pressure in family caregivers of the elderly
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
No use of psychiatric medications
No use psychological treatmentsduring the study based on clinical
interviewInformed consent to participate in research
Minimum education: Diploma
Exclusion criteria:
Age
From 20 years old to 60 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
3
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
45
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
En The sample size in the G*Power program, version 1.3 (Faul et al., 2019), with a confidence level of 0.95, a power of 0.80, and a dropout rate of 10%, was calculated for each group of 15 people. Therefore, 45 people were selected based on the inclusion criteria and by exclusion using the purposive sampling method and will be divided into two experimental groups and a control group (each group 15 people). The first experimental group will receive meaning therapy based on Rumi's thoughts in 8 75-minute sessions, and the second experimental group will receive mindfulness-based stress reduction in 8 60-minute sessions (2 sessions per week). During this period, the control group will not receive any intervention.
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 in Biomedical Research
Street address
Imam Reza Blvd., Imam Reza 6, Saray Mehr
City
sari
Province
Mazandaran
Postal code
4841683648
Approval date
2025-07-19, 1404/04/28
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.SARI.REC.1404.194
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Caregiving pressure
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
Primary outcomes
1
Description
The score obtained from the care pressure questionnaire of Zarit et al. (1980).
Timepoint
Before the intervention, after the intervention, and two months after the intervention
Method of measurement
The score obtained from the care pressure questionnaire of Zarit et al. (1980).
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: The semantic therapy intervention based on Rumi's thoughts will be implemented in groups in 8 75-minute sessions (two sessions per week, for four weeks) for family caregivers of the elderly. The sessions will be held by an assistant professor of psychology and a scientifically qualified therapist in the Mehr Nursing Home in Sari. The content of the intervention is based on the principles of semantic therapy using the mystical and anthropological concepts of Rumi Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi's thoughts and includes training, group discussion, interpretation and analysis of stories and parables from the Masnavi, reflection on personal experiences, reflective exercises, and homework assignments. The main themes of the sessions include understanding the meaning of life and the human position, self-knowledge, self-control, acceptance of aging, making meaning in suffering, remembrance and meditation, facing death anxiety, love, patience, resilience, and gratitude. At the end of each session, homework is given in accordance with the content taught, and at the beginning of the next session, feedback is reviewed and provided. During each session, about 15 to 20 minutes are allotted for participants to rest and receive refreshments. No drugs, consumables, or medical devices are used in this intervention, and the intervention is based solely on group education and psychological techniques.
Category
Behavior
2
Description
Intervention group:The mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention will be implemented as a group and based on the standard Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program adapted from Segal et al.'s (2016) program, in 8 60-minute sessions (two sessions per week, for four weeks) for family caregivers of the elderly. The sessions will be held by an assistant professor of psychology and a qualified therapist in the environment of Mehr nursing home in Sari city. The content of the intervention includes teaching the concepts of mindfulness, performing formal and informal mindfulness exercises, body inspection, conscious breathing, sitting meditation, walking meditation, conscious eating, simple stretching movements and gentle yoga, compassion meditation, and exercises to increase awareness of thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and environmental stimuli. Also, in each session, review of home exercises, group discussion, providing feedback and teaching practical strategies to manage stress and increase presence of mind are done. At the end of each session, homework is presented according to the content of the session for daily practice and reviewed in the next session. No drugs, chemicals, medical equipment or invasive methods are used in this intervention, and the intervention is based solely on psychological and behavioral training and exercises.
Category
Behavior
3
Description
Control group: Does not receive any intervention.
Category
Behavior
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Sarai Mehr Sari
Full name of responsible person
Dr Asghar Norouzi
Street address
Imam Reza Blvd., Imam Reza 6
City
Sari
Province
Mazandaran
Postal code
4841683648
Phone
+98 911 152 0181
Email
asgarnoruzi@yahoo.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Fateme Gholian nozari
Street address
Farahabad Road
City
Sari
Province
Mazandaran
Postal code
4841683648
Phone
+98 911 351 7202
Email
fateme.qolian70@gmail.com
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
1
Public or private sector
Private
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
Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Dr seyed Hamze Hoseini
Position
Professor, Faculty Psychiatrist
Latest degree
Specialist
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychiatrics
Street address
Razi Street, Imam Sari Hospital, Psychiatric Department
City
Sari
Province
Mazandaran
Postal code
4817718743
Phone
0098 33361700
Email
Hosseini.sh20@gmail.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Dr Asghar Norouzi
Position
Assistant Professor, Faculty Member
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Imam Reza Blvd., Imam Reza 6
City
Sari
Province
Mazandaran
Postal code
4841683648
Phone
0098 33032891
Email
asgarnoruzi@yahoo.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Fateme Gholian nozari
Position
Student
Latest degree
Master
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Imam Reza Blvd., Imam Reza 6
City
Sari
Province
Mazandaran
Postal code
4841683648
Phone
0098 33288108
Email
fateme.qolian70@gmail.com
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
Can be shared with individuals unidentifiable
When the data will become available and for how long
Since the winter of 2026
To whom data/document is available
Researchers, industries and nursing homes
Under which criteria data/document could be used
Researchers - industries and nursing homes have the ability to use the data. In fact, they have the ability to use the results of the data to help family caregivers. Researchers have the ability to use it for review and referencing articles.
From where data/document is obtainable
fateme.qolian70@gmail.com Email Fatemeh Qolian Nozari and respond as soon as possible.
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
Please send your request to the provided email address; a response will be given as soon as possible, within one week.