Protocol summary

Study aim
To determine the effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on craving, shame, self-control, and interpersonal sensitivity among men with substance use disorder undergoing methadone maintenance treatment at Dr. Nourian Addiction Treatment Clinic in Kashan, Iran, in 2026.
Design
This is a controlled clinical trial with a parallel-group design, no blind, and non-random allocation conducted on 60 patients.
Settings and conduct
This study is a randomized clinical trial with a pretest–posttest design, a control group, and a three-month follow-up, conducted at Addiction Treatment Clinic in Kashan. A total of 60 individuals with substance use disorder will be selected through purposive sampling after obtaining informed consent. Participants will be assigned to intervention and control groups using block randomization (blocks of four) . The intervention group will receive Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based on Harris’s protocol in eight 90-minute sessions, while the control group will receive only routine methadone maintenance treatment.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: • Informed consent and willingness to participate in the study • Age between 25 and 55 years • No severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., psychotic disorders or bipolar disorder) • No severe physical illnesses or conditions affecting physical appearance • No Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) within the previous two years Exclusion criteria: • Positive urine drug screening test
Intervention groups
Participants will be assigned to two groups: intervention and control. The control group will receive routine methadone maintenance treatment, while the intervention group will receive a 9-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) protocol in addition to routine treatment.
Main outcome variables
Primary outcome measures: craving, shame, self-control, and interpersonal sensitivity.

General information

Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number: IRCT20260616069837N1
Registration date: 2026-07-19, 1405/04/28
Registration timing: registered_while_recruiting

Last update: 2026-07-19, 1405/04/28
Update count: 0
Registration date
2026-07-19, 1405/04/28
Registrant information
Name
Razieh Shokri
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 21 5656 0643
Email address
shokri-r@kaums.ac.ir
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-07-11, 1405/04/20
Expected recruitment end date
2026-08-11, 1405/05/20
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on craving, shame, self-control, and interpersonal sensitivity among men with Substance Use Disorders under methadone maintenance treatment.
Public title
The effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on individuals with substance use disorder.
Purpose
Treatment
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Provided informed consent and expressed willingness to participate in the study. Had a diagnosis of substance use disorder confirmed by a psychologist or psychiatrist. Had abstained from methadone use for at least one month prior to participation. Had no severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., psychotic disorders or bipolar disorder) based on the diagnosis of the center’s psychiatrist. Had no severe physical illnesses or conditions affecting physical appearance, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, limb amputation, or physical disabilities. Had at least a middle school level of education. Were between 25 and 55 years of age. Had not received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) within the two years preceding the study. Were not receiving any concurrent psychotherapy during the study period.
Exclusion criteria:
Use of any medication or substance other than methadone. Emergence of suicidal ideation. Emergence of acute psychiatric symptoms. Failure to complete the study questionnaires. A positive urine drug screening test.
Age
From 25 years old to 55 years old
Gender
Male
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size: 60
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 Kashan university of medical sciences
Street address
Kashan – Qotb-e Ravandi Boulevard – Pezeshk Boulevard
City
Kashan
Province
Isfehan
Postal code
8715973474
Approval date
2026-06-08, 1405/03/18
Ethics committee reference number
IR.KAUMS.MEDNT.REC.1405.036

Health conditions studied

1

Description of health condition studied
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
ICD-10 code
F11
ICD-10 code description
Opioid related disorders

Primary outcomes

1

Description
Total score of substance craving
Timepoint
Baseline (before intervention) , Immediately after completion of the intervention , Three months after completion of the intervention.
Method of measurement
Desires for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ)

Secondary outcomes

1

Description
Total Shame Score
Timepoint
Baseline (before intervention) , Immediately after completion of the intervention , Three months after completion of the intervention.
Method of measurement
Cohen et al. Shame Questionnaire

2

Description
Total Self-Control Score
Timepoint
Baseline (before intervention) , Immediately after completion of the intervention , Three months after completion of the intervention.
Method of measurement
Tangney Self-Control Scale (SCS)

3

Description
Total Interpersonal Sensitivity Score
Timepoint
Baseline (before intervention) , Immediately after completion of the intervention , Three months after completion of the intervention.
Method of measurement
Boyce and Parker Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM)

Intervention groups

1

Description
Intervention group: Participants in the intervention group will receive Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) according to the treatment center's protocol, in addition to participating in eight weekly 90-minute group sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The sessions will focus on acceptance of internal experiences, cognitive diffusion, mindfulness, self-as-context, values clarification, and committed action in accordance with personal values. All sessions will be conducted by a trained therapist, while methadone maintenance treatment will continue throughout the intervention period.
Category
Rehabilitation

2

Description
Control group: Participants in the control group will receive Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) according to the treatment center's standard protocol and will not receive any psychological intervention during the study period. Upon completion of data collection, they will be offered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) if they wish to participate.
Category
Rehabilitation

Recruitment centers

1

Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Addiction treatment centers affiliatd with Kashan University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Razieh Shokri
Street address
Kashan – Qotb-e Ravandi Boulevard – Pezeshk Boulevard
City
Kashan
Province
Isfehan
Postal code
8715973474
Phone
+98 31 5510 9999
Email
info@kaums.ac.ir
Web page address
https://kaums.ac.ir/

Sponsors / Funding sources

1

Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Kashan University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Maryam Hashemi Moghaddam
Street address
Kashan – Qotb-e Ravandi Boulevard – Pezeshk Boulevard
City
Kashan
Province
Isfehan
Postal code
8715973474
Phone
+98 31 5510 9999
Email
shokri-r@kaums.ac.ir
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Kashan University of Medical Sciences
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
Kashan University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Razieh Shokri
Position
Master’s student in Clinical Psychology
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Kashan – Qotb-e Ravandi Boulevard – Pezeshk Boulevard
City
Kashan
Province
Isfehan
Postal code
8715973474
Phone
+98 31 5510 9999
Email
shokri-r@kaums.ac.ir

Person responsible for scientific inquiries

Contact
Name of organization / entity
Kashan University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Razieh Shokri
Position
Master’s student in Clinical Psychology
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Kashan – Qotb-e Ravandi Boulevard – Pezeshk Boulevard
City
Kashan
Province
Isfehan
Postal code
8715973474
Phone
+98 31 5510 9999
Email
shokri-r@kaums.ac.ir

Person responsible for updating data

Contact
Name of organization / entity
Kashan University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Razieh Shokri
Position
Master’s student in Clinical Psychology
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Kashan – Qotb-e Ravandi Boulevard – Pezeshk Boulevard
City
Kashan
Province
Isfehan
Postal code
8715973474
Phone
+98 31 5510 9999
Email
shokri-r@kaums.ac.ir

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
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is 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
Title and more details about the data/document
De-identified individual participant data will be available after completion of the trial. Upon reasonable request from qualified researchers, access may be granted to raw data related to the primary outcome variables, including substance craving scores, shame scores, self-control scores, and interpersonal sensitivity scores. Personal identifying information will not be shared at any stage of data access.
When the data will become available and for how long
Access to de-identified individual participant data will begin 6 months after publication of the study results and will remain available for a period of 2 years thereafter. During this period, data will be shared with qualified researchers upon reasonable request and approval by the research team.
To whom data/document is available
De-identified individual participant data will be made available to qualified researchers. Requests will be accepted only from investigators affiliated with recognized academic institutions, research centers, or scientific organizations with a clear and relevant research purpose. Requests will be reviewed and approved by the study investigators. Access will not be granted to non-research individuals, commercial entities, or applicants outside the academic and scientific field.
Under which criteria data/document could be used
De-identified individual participant data will be used solely for scientific and non-commercial research purposes. Data use is limited to statistical analyses consistent with or complementary to the objectives of the original study. Commercial use, marketing purposes, or any non-scientific applications are strictly prohibited. Data recipients must maintain confidentiality, avoid any attempt to re-identify participants, and are not permitted to share the data with third parties without written permission from the study investigators. Access will be granted only after approval by the principal investigators and in accordance with ethical research principles.
From where data/document is obtainable
Requests for access to de-identified study data should be directed to the principal investigator or the study supervisor. Requests will be primarily handled via email. Additional correspondence may be conducted through the affiliated university if necessary. Principal Investigator: Razieh Shokri Supervisor: Dr.Zahra Zanjani Email:shokri-r@kaums.ac.ir Postal address: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Kashan University, Iran
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
Upon receipt of a request for access to de-identified individual participant data, the request will be reviewed by the principal investigator and the research team. The first step involves assessing the scientific merit and eligibility of the applicant. If preliminarily approved, the requester will be required to sign a data use agreement, including confidentiality and non-reidentification commitments. After completion of the required documentation, the requested data will be prepared and shared electronically with the applicant. Additional clarifications, if needed, will be handled via email correspondence. The entire process typically takes between 2 to 4 weeks.
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