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IRCT20260901070861N1 IRCT 2026-09-22 Islamic Azad University Investigating the effect of self-focused therapies on improving mental health in patients with psychosomatic problems Comparing the effectiveness of self-care and self-compassion therapy on mood alexithymia, perceived stress, ego strength, and quality of life in psychosomatic patients 2026-09-21 anticipated 45 Complete https://irct.ir/trial/93016 interventional Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Not blinded, Placebo: Not used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Treatment, Randomization description: The statistical population of this study includes all patients with psychosomatic disorders who refer to the psychology and counseling clinic and who will refer to the clinic within the specified time period for the study. In the sample selection stage, the available sampling method will be used. After selecting the samples to a volume of 45 people based on the study's entry and exit criteria, the participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: "self-treatment" (intervention group 1), "self-compassion treatment" (intervention group 2), 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). The envelope will be opened and the allocation group will be informed only when each participant enters the study. To ensure the equality of baseline variables (such as anxiety level and age), their distribution in the two groups will be examined during the statistical analysis stage. N/A Physical disorders of psychological origin. Intervention 1: Intervention group 1: Self-discipline; Duration of each session: 90 minutes; Total number of sessions: 14 sessions; Sequence of sessions: Twice a week; Therapeutic tools used: This intervention focuses on activating internal resources, rebuilding lifestyle, and emotional self-care. The main tools include: guided therapeutic dialogue, cognitive-behavioral training, body care exercises, stress management techniques, and rebuilding my strength. Session content: Session 1: Conducting a pre-test; Explaining the therapeutic logic; Getting to know the concepts of "self-discipline" and its role in improving the psychosomatic state. Session 2: Identifying basic needs; Examining the current lifestyle and its difference from the ideal self-discipline pattern. Session 3: Body awareness skills; Practicing identifying physical tensions. Session 4: Emotional analysis; Training in naming emotions and distinguishing between physical and mental feelings. Session 5: Assessing thoughts; Identifying dysfunctional beliefs that lead to ignoring one's own needs. Session 6: Breathing and relaxation techniques; Abdominal breathing training for managing perceived stress. Session 7: Managing stress in daily life; Identifying stress triggers and effective coping strategies. Session 8: Strengthening "my resilience"; Examining personal strengths and increasing self-esteem and self-efficacy. Session 9: Teaching assertiveness skills; Learning to say "no" and setting healthy boundaries in relationships to reduce psychological stress. Session 10: Managing negative emotions; Using writing techniques to express pent-up emotions. Session 11: Improving well-being; Planning for enjoyable and meaningful activities. Session 12: Pathology of barriers to self-care; Examining individual fears and resistance to lifestyle changes. Session 13: Consolidating skills; Reviewing methods for dealing with slippage and continuing exercises in critical situations. Session 14: Final summary; Presenting a plan for continuing self-care; Conducting a post-test and determining the timing of the follow-up test. Intervention 2: Intervention group 2: Compassion-focused therapy; Duration of each session: 90 minutes. Total number of sessions: 8 sessions. Sequence of sessions: Twice a week. Therapeutic tools used: This intervention relies heavily on activating emotional regulation systems and internal resources of compassion. The main therapeutic tools include: guided therapeutic dialogue; mindfulness exercises; self-compassion imagery exercises; reciprocal compassion imagery exercises. Session content: Session 1: Pre-test; explanation of the logic of compassion-focused therapy and understanding the concepts of self-compassion and compassion for others in order to reduce psychosomatic tensions. Session 2: Identification of critical mental and behavioral patterns that the individual has towards himself; examination of the individual's way of thinking and behaving in the face of physical and psychological pain. Session 3: Training in compassionate imagery skills; practicing mindfulness to connect with oneself and using soothing breathing techniques to regulate physiological responses. Session 4: Using mindfulness techniques to focus on bodily experiences; teaching how to express emotional empathy towards personal suffering and repressed emotions. Session 5: Technique for writing a “compassionate letter”; enhancing the capacity for self-compassion by emotionally releasing past trauma and accepting shared humanity. Session 6: Pathology of obstacles and factors that create “fear of compassion”; examining internal fears and repulsions towards expressing kindness to oneself. Session 7: Teaching methods for dealing with resistance to compassion; strengthening self-compassion during times of peak stress and using relaxation techniques. Session 8: Summarizing the sessions, providing final suggestions for consolidating skills; administering the post-test and determining the timing for administering the follow-up test. Intervention 3: Control group: The control group will not receive any intervention during the research, but will receive the treatment intervention after data collection to prevent factors that threaten the internal validity of the research, such as compensatory competition from the control group or demoralization. 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 personal issues—and given that publishing the data requires writing an article, a task that is time-consuming and demands precision—I will proceed with the publication as soon as these matters are resolved.
public Sara Mousavi
Opposite Keshavarz Street, Farhang Shahr, Golestan Highway
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6134937333 +98 61 3334 8421 sara.mousavi4146@iau.ac.ir Islamic Azad University scientific Sara Mousavi
Opposite Keshavarz Street, Farhang Shahr, Golestan Highway
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6134937333 +98 61 3334 8421 sara.mousavi4146@iau.ac.ir Islamic Azad University Iran (Islamic Republic of) 1. Confirmation of a psychosomatic diagnosis based on a clinical interview by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist Having an age range between 25 and 40 years 25 years 40 years Both Concurrent participation in other psychotherapy interventions or psychological training courses 3 months prior to the study Unwillingness to participate in the study F45 Body dysmorphic disorder Treatment - Other Treatment - Other Treatment - Other Intervention group 1: Self-discipline; Duration of each session: 90 minutes; Total number of sessions: 14 sessions; Sequence of sessions: Twice a week; Therapeutic tools used: This intervention focuses on activating internal resources, rebuilding lifestyle, and emotional self-care. The main tools include: guided therapeutic dialogue, cognitive-behavioral training, body care exercises, stress management techniques, and rebuilding my strength. Session content: Session 1: Conducting a pre-test; Explaining the therapeutic logic; Getting to know the concepts of "self-discipline" and its role in improving the psychosomatic state. Session 2: Identifying basic needs; Examining the current lifestyle and its difference from the ideal self-discipline pattern. Session 3: Body awareness skills; Practicing identifying physical tensions. Session 4: Emotional analysis; Training in naming emotions and distinguishing between physical and mental feelings. Session 5: Assessing thoughts; Identifying dysfunctional beliefs that lead to ignoring one's own needs. Session 6: Breathing and relaxation techniques; Abdominal breathing training for managing perceived stress. Session 7: Managing stress in daily life; Identifying stress triggers and effective coping strategies. Session 8: Strengthening "my resilience"; Examining personal strengths and increasing self-esteem and self-efficacy. Session 9: Teaching assertiveness skills; Learning to say "no" and setting healthy boundaries in relationships to reduce psychological stress. Session 10: Managing negative emotions; Using writing techniques to express pent-up emotions. Session 11: Improving well-being; Planning for enjoyable and meaningful activities. Session 12: Pathology of barriers to self-care; Examining individual fears and resistance to lifestyle changes. Session 13: Consolidating skills; Reviewing methods for dealing with slippage and continuing exercises in critical situations. Session 14: Final summary; Presenting a plan for continuing self-care; Conducting a post-test and determining the timing of the follow-up test. Intervention group 2: Compassion-focused therapy; Duration of each session: 90 minutes. Total number of sessions: 8 sessions. Sequence of sessions: Twice a week. Therapeutic tools used: This intervention relies heavily on activating emotional regulation systems and internal resources of compassion. The main therapeutic tools include: guided therapeutic dialogue; mindfulness exercises; self-compassion imagery exercises; reciprocal compassion imagery exercises. Session content: Session 1: Pre-test; explanation of the logic of compassion-focused therapy and understanding the concepts of self-compassion and compassion for others in order to reduce psychosomatic tensions. Session 2: Identification of critical mental and behavioral patterns that the individual has towards himself; examination of the individual's way of thinking and behaving in the face of physical and psychological pain. Session 3: Training in compassionate imagery skills; practicing mindfulness to connect with oneself and using soothing breathing techniques to regulate physiological responses. Session 4: Using mindfulness techniques to focus on bodily experiences; teaching how to express emotional empathy towards personal suffering and repressed emotions. Session 5: Technique for writing a “compassionate letter”; enhancing the capacity for self-compassion by emotionally releasing past trauma and accepting shared humanity. Session 6: Pathology of obstacles and factors that create “fear of compassion”; examining internal fears and repulsions towards expressing kindness to oneself. Session 7: Teaching methods for dealing with resistance to compassion; strengthening self-compassion during times of peak stress and using relaxation techniques. Session 8: Summarizing the sessions, providing final suggestions for consolidating skills; administering the post-test and determining the timing for administering the follow-up test. Control group: The control group will not receive any intervention during the research, but will receive the treatment intervention after data collection to prevent factors that threaten the internal validity of the research, such as compensatory competition from the control group or demoralization. Alexithymia. 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 Toronto Taylor Alexithymia Questionnaire (1989). 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 Scale. Ego Strength. 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 Mann-Flack and Narakmeh (2002) strength scale. Life Well-Being. 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 through the Bio-Benefit Questionnaire by Joharifard (2024). Islamic Azad University Approved 2026-03-16 Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz Branch Opposite Keshavarz Street, Farhang Shahr, Golestan Highway Ahvaz Khouzestan Iran (Islamic Republic of)