Determining the effectiveness of mindfulness training on competitive anxiety and physiological indices in martial arts athletes.
Design
A randomized, unblinded, parallel-group clinical trial with a pretest-posttest design will be conducted on 30 Ninjutsu athletes allocated (1:1) to intervention and control groups via permuted block randomization.
Settings and conduct
This parallel-group, randomized clinical trial with a pretest-posttest design will be conducted in 2026 at Cheshm Oghab Ninjutsu Academy to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness training on competitive anxiety and physiological indicators in martial arts athletes. Thirty eligible athletes will be selected via purposive sampling and randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to an intervention group (mindfulness training) and a control group using permuted block randomization. Due to the nature of the psychological intervention, this study will be conducted without blinding of the participants and researchers.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Martial arts athletes in Ninjutsu; Having at least one year of activity experience in the martial art of Ninjutsu; Informed consent to participate in the research.
Exclusion criteria: History of participation in mindfulness workshops or courses in the past; History of hospitalization in a hospital due to severe psychiatric disorders.
Intervention groups
Intervention group: In addition to regular training, will receive 8 weeks (1 session/week) of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training.
Control group: Will continue regular training only without any psychological intervention (will receive training after the study).
Main outcome variables
Competitive anxiety (CSAI-2R questionnaire); serum cortisol level; heart rate and blood pressure (digital monitor), which will be assessed at pre-test and post-test.
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260508069294N1
Registration date:2026-10-01, 1405/07/09
Registration timing:registered_while_recruiting
Last update:2026-10-01, 1405/07/09
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-10-01, 1405/07/09
Registrant information
Name
Parham Kazemkhah
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 13 4261 5566
Email address
p99arham78@gmail.com
Recruitment status
recruiting
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-09-23, 1405/07/01
Expected recruitment end date
2027-01-20, 1405/10/30
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Competitive Anxiety and Related Physiological Indices in Martial Arts Athletes
Public title
The Effect of Mindfulness on Competitive Anxiety and Physiological Indices
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Having at Least one Year of Professional Training Experience in Ninjutsu Martial Arts
Completion of The Martens Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-Revised(CSAl-2R) and Baseline Physiological Assessments at the Pre-test Stage
Exclusion criteria:
Prior Participation in Mindfulness Training Workshops or Courses
History of Hospitalization Due to Severe Psychiatric Disorders
Age
No age limit
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
30
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Eligible participants (30 Ninjutsu athletes) will be allocated to either the intervention (n=15) or control group (n=15) in a 1:1 ratio using a permuted block randomization method with block sizes of 4 and 6. The random allocation sequence will be generated using the online Research Randomizer tool (www.randomizer.org). To ensure allocation concealment, sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes (SNOSE) will be utilized; group allocation cards will be placed inside the envelopes and opened by an individual independent of the research team only after obtaining written informed consent and completing baseline assessments.
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, Tonekabon Branch
Street address
Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch, Valiabad, 3rd km of Chalous Road, Tonekabon, Mazandaran
City
Tonekabon
Province
Mazandaran
Postal code
4681416167
Approval date
2026-07-15, 1405/04/24
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.TON.REC.1405.053
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Competitive anxiety
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Competitive anxiety score measured using the Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2R).
Timepoint
At baseline (prior to the intervention) and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
Method of measurement
Competitive anxiety will be assessed using the Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2R), a validated self-report questionnaire consisting of 17 items that measure cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence.
Secondary outcomes
1
Description
Serum cortisol level will be measured in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL).
Timepoint
At baseline (prior to the intervention) and immediately after the completion of the 8-week intervention.
Method of measurement
Serum cortisol will be measured via 5 mL venous blood sampling analyzed using the ELISA method, conducted between 08:00 and 10:00 AM to control for diurnal variation.
2
Description
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Timepoint
At baseline (prior to the intervention) and immediately after the completion of the 8-week intervention.
Method of measurement
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured using a calibrated digital blood pressure monitor (GLAMOR TD-3128) in a seated position following a 5-minute rest, with consistent conditions at each assessment.
3
Description
Heart rate measured in beats per minute (bpm).
Timepoint
At baseline (prior to the intervention) and at the end of the 8th week (following the completion of the intervention).
Method of measurement
Heart rate will be measured using a calibrated digital blood pressure monitor (GLAMOR TD-3128) in a seated position following a 5-minute rest, with consistent conditions at each assessment.
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Participants in the intervention group will receive an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program consisting of weekly 90-minute group sessions along with 45 minutes of daily home practice. The session contents are as follows: Session 1: Introduction to MBSR, ground rules, mindful eating, body scan, and awareness of daily activities; Session 2: Homework review, body scan, mindful breathing, and pleasant events calendar; Session 3: Review of practices, mindful stretching and movement, gentle mindful yoga, exploring boundaries of discomfort/pain, mindful walking, and breath awareness; Session 4: Sitting meditation (body, breath, and sounds), walking meditation, and unpleasant events calendar; Session 5: Sitting meditation with open awareness (working with difficulties), mindful yoga, reactive pattern awareness, and coping breathing space; Session 6: Day of silent practice, integrating body scan, yoga, meditation on thoughts, and developing an early warning system; Session 7: Sustained mindfulness practice, advanced sitting meditation, mindfulness in relationships, daily life integration, and 3-minute breathing space; Session 8: Review of learned skills, developing a personalized daily maintenance plan, and program termination.
Category
Behavior
2
Description
Control group: Participants in the control group will not receive any psychological intervention or mindfulness training during the study period and will only continue their routine athletic training.
Category
N/A
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Cheshm Oghab Ninjutsu Academy
Full name of responsible person
Parham Kazemkhah
Street address
Ground Floor, Hamin Complex, Ahmadabad, Shohada St.
City
Rudsar
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4484118973
Phone
+98 911 828 7973
Email
senseiparhamkazemkhah@gmail.com
Web page address
https://cheshmoghabacademy.blogspot.com
2
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Dr. Momeni Medical Laboratory
Full name of responsible person
Parham Kazemkhah
Street address
Opposite Shohada Hospital, Enghelab St., Roudsar
City
Rudsar
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4484118973
Phone
+98 13 4162 6992
Email
senseiparhamkazemkhah@gmail.com
Web page address
http://drmomenilab.ir
3
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Dr. Ashtiani Medical & Pathology Laboratory
Full name of responsible person
Parham Kazemkhah
Street address
No. 38, Bousar St., Bousar Bridge, Saadi St., Rasht, Iran
City
Rasht
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4484118973
Phone
+98 13 3212 3478
Email
senseiparhamkazemkhah@gmail.com
Web page address
http://ashtianilab.ir
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Dr. Somayeh Asadian, Director of Research Services, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch
Street address
Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch, 3rd km of Chalous Road
City
Tonekabon
Province
Mazandaran
Postal code
4681416167
Phone
+98 911 393 7741
Email
Assadiannarenjisomayeh@gmail.com
Web page address
http://tonekabon.iau.ir
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
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
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Parham Kazemkhah
Position
Principal Investigator (MSc Student)
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Corner of East Yas 1 Alley, Salomeh (Salomahalleh), Valiasr St., Hasansara
City
Rudsar
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4484118973
Phone
+98 13 4261 5566
Fax
Email
senseiparhamkazemkhah@gmail.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Parham Kazemkhah
Position
Principal Investigator (MSc Student)
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Corner of East Yas 1 Alley, Salomeh (Salomahalleh), Valiasr St., Hasansara
City
Rudsar
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4484118973
Phone
+98 13 4261 5566
Fax
Email
senseiparhamkazemkhah@gmail.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Parham Kazemkhah
Position
Principal Investigator (MSc Student)
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Corner of East Yas 1 Alley, Salomeh (Salomahalleh), Valiasr St., Hasansara
City
Rudsar
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4484118973
Phone
+98 13 4261 5566
Fax
Email
senseiparhamkazemkhah@gmail.com
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be 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