Skip to content

Evaluating the effectiveness of two interventions: mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy and emotion-focused therapy on test anxiety and related outcomes in students

Comparing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy and emotion-focused therapy on test anxiety, self-efficacy, academic procrastination, and academic self-handicapping in ninth-grade male students with test anxiety

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
IRCT
Registry ID
IRCT20260512069378N1
Enrollment
60
Registered
2026-05-13
Start date
2026-06-05
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2026-06-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anxiety. Phobic anxiety disorders

Interventions

Intervention 1: Intervention group: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction therapy
session sequence: twice a week
therapeutic tools used: this intervention relies on training in mindfulness, acceptance, nonjudgmental observation of internal experiences, and formal and informal mindfulness practices. The main ther
mindful breathing practice
seated meditation practice
mindful stretching and movement exercises
mindfulness exercises in daily activities
training in accepting thoughts and emotions without engagement and judgment. The content of the various sessions is based on this: session one: getting acquainted with group members, introducing the t
session two: training attention to breathing and body awareness practice, bodily awareness and beginning the body scan practice
session three: continuation of the body scan practice, focusing on observing thoughts and feelings without judgment and training attention to return to the present moment
session four: training seated meditation, focusing on sounds, breathing and thoughts, and practicing acceptance of mental experiences
session five: training mindful movements and stretches, increasing bodily awareness in movement and practicing mindfulness in daily activities
session six: working with unpleasant thoughts and emotions, training to observe thoughts as mental events and reducing cognitive engagement
session seven: review and practice of learned skills, generalizing mindfulness to stressful situations, especially exam situations
session eight: s

Sponsors

Islamic Azad University
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
Male
Age
14 Years to 15 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Ninth grade male students Scored one standard deviation above the average in test anxiety

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Unwillingness to participate in research Participation in other psychotherapy sessions

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Test Anxiety. 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 variable will be measured using the Ahvaz Exam Anxiety Inventory by Abolghasemi et al. (1996).;Self-Efficacy. 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 variable will be measured using the Morris et al. (2001) self-efficacy questionnaire.;Academic Procrastination. 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 variable will be measured using the Savari Academic Procrastination Questionnaire (2011).;Academic Self-Handicapping. 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 variable will be measured using the Schwinger and Steinsmeier-Plaster (2011) Academic Self-Disability Scale.

Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Contacts

Public ContactHeydar Saedi

Islamic Azad University

haydar.saedi@yahoo.com+98 61 3672 2192

Outcome results

None listed

Source: IRCT (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Jun 11, 2026