Comparing the effectiveness of group mindfulness with self-guided mindfulness on concentration and anxiety in adolescent athletes.
Design
The clinical trial has a control group with parallel groups, double-blind, selected by purposive randomization, and with a sample size of 45 people, they are placed in three groups of 15 people by simple randomization.
Settings and conduct
This study will use a field experimental research method and an extensive pre-test and post-test design with a follow-up phase. All participants, clinical caregivers, and evaluators who interpret the data will be kept confidential and all participants will be given pseudonyms.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria
Being aged between 12 and 17 years.
Having pursued at least one sport professionally for a period of 3 years.
Exclusion Criteria
Having psychological problems.
Having physical problems that interfere with the research process.
Intervention groups
Intervention Group 1: Implementation of the Kabat-Zinn (2008) group mindfulness protocol in the form of 8 training sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, will be implemented weekly for members of Experimental Group 1. Intervention Group 2: Implementation of the self-guided mindfulness protocol based on the model of Mohammadi et al. (2016) in the form of 8 training sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, will be implemented weekly for members of Experimental Group 2. Control Group: Will not receive any intervention.
Main outcome variables
Concentration; anxiety.
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260906070927N1
Registration date:2026-09-20, 1405/06/29
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2026-09-20, 1405/06/29
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-09-20, 1405/06/29
Registrant information
Name
Saeed Momeni
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 916 991 6113
Email address
saeidmomeni.sm90@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-10-06, 1405/07/14
Expected recruitment end date
2026-10-16, 1405/07/24
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
Comparing the effectiveness of group mindfulness with self-guided mindfulness on concentration and anxiety in adolescent athletes.
Public title
Comparing the effectiveness of group mindfulness with self-guided mindfulness
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Being aged between 12 and 17 years.
Having pursued at least one sport professionally for a period of 3 years.
Obtaining informed consent from both parents and the student for participating in the training sessions.
Exclusion criteria:
Having psychological problems.
Having physical problems that interfere with the research process.
Use of psychiatric medications.
Use of psychotropic or narcotic drugs.
Age
From 12 years old to 17 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
Care provider
Outcome assessor
Data analyser
Sample size
Target sample size:
45
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
In this study, to achieve completely random allocation and eliminate any researcher interference or bias, a simple randomization method will be used. First, a complete list of adolescent athletes in Izeh County who meet the inclusion criteria will be prepared. Then, each of them will be assigned an initial numerical identification code. These codes will be entered into the Random Number Generator software. The software will generate a unique random number for each person. After generating the numbers, the participants will be listed in ascending order based on the value of the random number. Then, sequentially, the first to fifteenth individuals on the list will be assigned to the “group mindfulness training group,” the sixteenth to thirtieth individuals to the “self-guided mindfulness training group,” and the thirty-first to forty-fifth individuals to the “control group.” This process will be designed in such a way that the order of entry or the researcher’s knowledge of the participants will have no role in the allocation process, and it will not be possible to predict each individual’s group before randomization is complete.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Double blinded
Blinding description
In order to control bias and improve internal validity of the study, this study was designed with a double-blind protocol; in this way, the outcome assessor and data analyst will be kept unaware of the allocation of adolescent athletes to the "group mindfulness", "self-guided mindfulness" and "control" groups. In this process, the outcome assessor will collect data at all stages of the pre-test, post-test and follow-up, without knowing the assigned group of the participants, in order to prevent bias in the measurement; also, all raw data will be provided to the statistical analyst with anonymous codes (such as groups 1, 2 and 3) and the true nature of the groups will not be revealed until the end of the data analysis process. All allocation steps will be carried out by an individual independent of the research team and decoding of allocation codes will be done only after the final completion of the statistical analyses.
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Behbahan Islamic Azad University Ethics Committee
Street address
Shahid Bayani St., Amir Kabir Blvd.
City
Behbahan
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6361713198
Approval date
2026-06-13, 1405/03/23
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.BEHBAHAN.REC.1405.143
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Anxiety in athletes
ICD-10 code
F41
ICD-10 code description
Other anxiety disorders
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Focus
Timepoint
before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention
Method of measurement
Dinat et al.'s Sports Concentration Test (2014)
2
Description
Anxiety
Timepoint
before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention
Method of measurement
Martinez Competitive Anxiety Questionnaire (1977)
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Intervention group 1: Implementation of the Kabat-Zinn (2008) group mindfulness protocol will be implemented in the form of 8 training sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, and weekly for members of experimental group 1. The group mindfulness training protocol is based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) model designed by Kabat-Zinn (1991; 2008), an approach that aims to increase moment-to-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, and emotions and accept internal and external experiences without judgment, helping participants to establish a more constructive relationship with stress and negative emotions by reducing automatic reactions. This approach promotes self-awareness, emotion regulation, and reduction of stress and anxiety symptoms through physical (relaxation), respiratory (conscious attention to breathing), and cognitive (observing thoughts and accepting them without judgment) exercises. The educational program of this intervention has the following main educational axes: muscle relaxation training, conscious attention to breathing training, body scan technique training for awareness of physical sensations, mindfulness training (nonjudgmental acceptance of negative and positive thoughts), and integration and consolidation of mindfulness skills in daily life. The main emphasis of this treatment is to reduce immediate anxious and emotional reactions when faced with stressors and replace them with conscious, accepting responses based on being present in the present moment.
Category
Behavior
2
Description
Intervention group: Intervention Group 2: Implementation of the self-guided mindfulness protocol based on the model of Mohammadi et al. (2016), in the form of 8 training sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, will be implemented weekly for members of the experimental group 2. The self-guided mindfulness protocol, derived from the research model of Mohammadi et al. (2016), is an approach that focuses on internal exercises and self-initiated learning with the aim of empowering learners for emotional and cognitive self-regulation. This method teaches individuals to independently manage their stress, thoughts, and emotions by identifying their internal mechanisms. This intervention helps participants internalize self-regulation skills and actively apply them in their daily lives through exercises such as self-guided body awareness, mindful self-mastery, self-centered breathing, self-guided body movement, and mindfulness of thoughts. The educational program of this intervention has the following main educational axes: body awareness and tension release, mindful self-mastery and designing a personal exercise program, self-centered breathing practice for relaxation, self-guided body movement without external guidance, mindfulness of thoughts and confronting negative thoughts, and self-directed integration of skills to face challenges. The main emphasis of this treatment is to develop the individual's ability to direct and manage their internal processes in an independent and sustainable manner.
Category
Behavior
3
Description
Control group: They do not receive any intervention or treatment.
Category
N/A
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Shahid Ahmadi Sports Complex
Full name of responsible person
Saeed Momeni
Street address
Key Shams Street, North Hafez Boulevard.
City
Izeh
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6391946523
Phone
+98 916 991 6113
Email
saeidmomeni.sm90@gmail.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Behrang Mohammad Salehi
Street address
Daneshjo Square, Zagros Blvd.
City
Izeh
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6391693627
Phone
+98 996 477 0611
Email
bsalehi@iau.ac.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
Saeed Momeni
Position
Master's student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
No. 62, Next to Swimming Pool, Farhangian St., Velayat Sq.
City
Izeh
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6391944895
Phone
+98 916 991 6113
Fax
Email
saeidmomeni.sm90@gmail.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Saeed Momeni
Position
Master's student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
No. 62, Next to Swimming Pool, Farhangian St., Velayat Sq.
City
Izeh
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6391944895
Phone
+98 916 991 6113
Fax
Email
saeidmomeni.sm90@gmail.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Saeed Momeni
Position
Master's student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
No. 62, Next to Swimming Pool, Farhangian St., Velayat Sq.
City
Izeh
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6391944895
Phone
+98 916 991 6113
Fax
Email
saeidmomeni.sm90@gmail.com
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Justification/reason for indecision/not sharing IPD
Participant data is completely confidential and I do not intend to publish it.
Study Protocol
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
No - There is not 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