Determining the effectiveness of schema therapy on appearance anxiety, self-criticism, and body image in overweight women
Design
This study is a randomized, parallel-group, single-blind clinical trial conducted on 30 overweight women in the city of Ahvaz (15 participants per group). Participants are assigned to groups using simple randomization via software; each participant is assigned an identification code, ordered based on a random number, and then divided equally into two groups of 15 (experimental and control).
Settings and conduct
This research will be conducted at the Fanoos-e Rah Counseling Center in Ahvaz. The study population consists of women who are overweight. A single-blind design is employed, wherein the outcome assessor and the data analyst remain unaware of the participants' allocation to the experimental or control groups. To ensure this, information regarding group allocation is provided to them in a coded format; no details concerning the identities of the participants or the specific nature of their group assignment are disclosed to the outcome assessor or the data analyst.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: aged between 18 and 45; possessing at least a high school diploma; having a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 25; and being dissatisfied with one's own body image. Exclusion criteria: having a physical illness that could interfere with the treatment process; current use of psychiatric medication; and a history of substance abuse.
Intervention groups
Intervention group: The schema therapy intervention, based on the protocol by Young et al. (2012; translated by Hamidpour & Andouz, 2019), will be administered in eight 45-minute sessions, conducted once a week. Control group: Will not receive any intervention.
Main outcome variables
Appearance anxiety; self-criticism; body image
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260921071145N1
Registration date:2026-11-06, 1405/08/15
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2026-11-06, 1405/08/15
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-11-06, 1405/08/15
Registrant information
Name
Fatemeh Lorzanganeh
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 903 043 3259
Email address
fatemeh.loorzangeneh@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Not yet recruiting
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-12-05, 1405/09/14
Expected recruitment end date
2026-12-20, 1405/09/29
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The effectiveness of schema therapy on appearance anxiety, self-criticism, and body image in overweight women
Public title
The effectivenes of schema therapy on appearance anxiety, self-criticism, and body image
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Aged between 18 and 45 years
Possess at least a high school diploma
Body Mass Index (BMI) above 25
Dissatisfied with their own body image
Exclusion criteria:
Presence of a physical illness that could interfere with the treatment process
Use of psychiatric medications
History of substance abuse
Age
From 18 years old to 45 years old
Gender
Female
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
Outcome assessor
Data analyser
Sample size
Target sample size:
30
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
In this study, a simple randomization method was employed to assign participants to either the experimental or the control group. The unit of randomization consisted of women with excess weight who met the study's inclusion criteria in the city of Ahvaz. First, a comprehensive list of volunteers who satisfied the inclusion criteria was compiled. Subsequently, each participant was assigned a unique numerical identification code. These codes were entered into a random number generator software, which produced a random number for each individual. Following the generation of these numbers, the participants were sorted in ascending order based on their assigned random values. Participants were then allocated to the two groups: the first 15 individuals on the sorted list were assigned to the experimental group (receiving schema therapy), while the next 15 were assigned to the control group. Through this method, the order in which participants entered the study and the researcher's prior knowledge of the participants played no role in group assignment. To ensure allocation concealment, the individual responsible for data entry and the randomization process was independent of both the intervention administrator and the assessors of the study variables (appearance-related anxiety, self-criticism, and body image); this individual had no insight into the conduct of the sessions and no authority to alter the group assignments. Furthermore, the participants' identification codes were kept confidential and stored separately from their other personal information. Consequently, it was impossible to predict the group assignment for any participant prior to the completion of the randomization process.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Single blinded
Blinding description
To adhere to the principles of blinding, the outcome assessor and the data analyst are kept unaware of the allocation of participants to the experimental and control groups. To this end, information regarding participant group allocation will be provided to them in a coded format, and no information concerning the identities or the specific group assignments of the participants will be disclosed to the outcome assessor or the data analyst.
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 of Ahvaz
Street address
Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz, Farhang Shahr
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Approval date
2026-09-11, 1405/06/20
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1405.538
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Psychological problems resulting from being overweight
ICD-10 code
E66.9
ICD-10 code description
Obesity, unspecified
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Manifest Anxiety
Timepoint
Before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention
Method of measurement
Vial et al. (2014) Apparent Anxiety Questionnaire
2
Description
Self-criticism
Timepoint
Before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention
Method of measurement
Thompson and Zuroff’s (2004) Levels of Self-Criticism Scale
3
Description
Body Image
Timepoint
Before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention
Method of measurement
Ostozin et al.’s (1998) Body Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Schema therapy consists of ten 45-minute sessions designed to examine self-destructive patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior rooted in childhood. It integrates principles and foundations from cognitive-behavioral, attachment, Gestalt, object relations, constructivist, and psychoanalytic schools of thought. The first session serves as an introduction, covering the program's goals, the number of sessions, ground rules, and the significance of the educational and research framework; research questionnaires are also administered and collected. The second session is dedicated to completing a commitment form, introducing early maladaptive schemas—including how they form and persist—as well as their associated domains and underlying needs. Participants’ specific schemas are categorized, and the application of therapeutic techniques begins. The third session focuses on reviewing previous topics, explaining coping styles, facilitating group discussion, assigning homework, and fostering a dialogue between the hopeful and the hopeless aspects of the mind. In the fourth session, participants develop "healthy" educational cards, utilize the "downward arrow" technique, and review various cognitive techniques. The fifth session involves visualizing a "safe place" and working to transform distressing emotional memories. The sixth session incorporates mindfulness and relaxation techniques, alongside imagined dialogues (mental imagery) with the person or source responsible for the schema. The seventh session centers on writing a letter to the source of the schema, while reinforcing cognitive and experiential techniques. The eighth session focuses on the detailed description and prioritization of coping behaviors. The ninth session covers potential behavioral changes and specific behavioral techniques. In the tenth session, the research questionnaires are once again distributed and completed, questions are addressed, and—following a discussion and synthesis of the entire series of sessions—the intervention is brought to a close. This treatment program, based on the schema therapy approach developed by Young et al. (2012; translated by Hamidpour & Andouz, 2019), was administered to the experimental group over the course of ten 45-minute sessions.
Category
Behavior
2
Description
Control group: They do not receive any intervention or treatment.
Category
N/A
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Fanouse Rah Counseling and Psychological Clinic
Full name of responsible person
Fatemeh Lorzanganeh
Street address
Corner of 14th Street, Vahhabi Street, Kian Abad
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6155745140
Phone
+98 61 5574 5140
Email
fatemeh.loorzangeneh@gmail.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Aslan Egdernezhad
Street address
Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz, Farhang Shahr.
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Phone
+98 61 3334 8421
Email
a_eigder@yahoo.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
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
Fatemeh Lorzanganeh
Position
Master's Student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz, Farhang Shahr.
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Phone
+98 903 043 3259
Fax
Email
fatemeh.loorzangeneh@gmail.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Fatemeh Lorzanganeh
Position
Master's Student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz, Farhang Shahr.
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Phone
+98 903 043 3259
Fax
Email
fatemeh.loorzangeneh@gmail.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Fatemeh Lorzanganeh
Position
Master's Student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz, Farhang Shahr.
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Phone
+98 903 043 3259
Fax
Email
fatemeh.loorzangeneh@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