To evaluate the effectiveness of online emotionally focused couple therapy on intimacy and commitment among couples in long-distance relationships.
Design
This is an open label, parallel group study including 30 couples. Couples are allocated to two groups of 15 using block randomization with blocks of four and sequentially numbered opaque envelopes. Clinical trial phase is not applicable.
Settings and conduct
The study is conducted online via video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom or Google Meet). Eligible couples are recruited through social media calls and counseling centers. After completing the pretest, participants are randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group receives eight weekly 90-minute counseling sessions. The posttest is conducted immediately after sessions, followed by a three-month follow-up. No blinding is performed in this study.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Participants are married couples aged 18 to 50 years who are in a long-distance relationship due to educational migration or international remote work. Inclusion criteria include legal marriage, consent of both spouses, internet access, and the ability to attend online sessions. Exclusion criteria include substance dependence, severe mental disorders, severe intimate partner violence, suicide risk, formal divorce proceedings, and concurrent couple therapy.
Intervention groups
The intervention group includes 15 couples who receive eight 90 minute sessions of online emotionally focused couple therapy. The control group includes 15 couples who receive no intervention during the study.
Main outcome variables
Marital intimacy; marital commitment
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260717070222N1
Registration date:2026-07-24, 1405/05/02
Registration timing:registered_while_recruiting
Last update:2026-07-24, 1405/05/02
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-07-24, 1405/05/02
Registrant information
Name
maryam abad
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 61 3334 8420
Email address
1380meri@gmail.com
Recruitment status
recruiting
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-07-21, 1405/04/30
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 Online Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy on Intimacy and Commitment Among Couples in Long-Distance Relationships
Public title
Online Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy on Couples’ Intimacy and Commitment
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Age 18 to 50 years
Officially married
Having a long-distance relationship
Consent from both spouses
Internet access
No severe mental disorder or addiction
Completion of pretests
Exclusion criteria:
Presence of a severe psychiatric disorder
Presence of suicide risk
Presence of severe intimate partner violence
Presence of active substance addiction
Concurrent participation in couple therapy
Being in formal divorce proceedings
Age
From 18 years old to 50 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
60
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Block randomization with a fixed block size of four will be used. An independent person will generate the allocation sequence using Random Allocation Software and place it in sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. After confirming eligibility and enrolling each couple, the envelopes will be opened sequentially, and couples will be allocated to the intervention or control group.
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, Ahvaz Branch
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Approval date
2026-06-23, 1405/04/02
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1405.387
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Long distance marital relationships
ICD-10 code
Z63.0
ICD-10 code description
Problems in relationship with spouse or partner
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Marital intimacy score
Timepoint
At baseline, immediately after completion of the eight intervention sessions, and three months after completion of the intervention.
Method of measurement
Olia Marital Intimacy Questionnaire
2
Description
Marital commitment score
Timepoint
Measurement at baseline, immediately after completing the 8 intervention sessions, and 3 months after the intervention.
Method of measurement
Adams and Jones Marital Commitment Scale
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Fifteen eligible couples in long distance relationships who are randomly assigned to the control group and receive no couple therapy during the 8 week study period
Category
Behavior
2
Description
Control group: Fifteen eligible couples in long distance relationships are randomly assigned to the control group. They receive no couple therapy or related psychological intervention during the 8 week study period and complete assessments at baseline, immediately after the 8 week period, and 3 months later.
Category
Behavior
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Unit
Full name of responsible person
Pejman Taghipour Birgani
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 3334 8420
Email
info@iauahvaz.ac.ir
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Pejman Taghipour Birgani
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
00986133348420
Phone
+98 61 3334 8420
Email
info@iauahvaz.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
عبداله مرادی
Position
Assistant Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 3334 8420
Email
info@iauahvaz.ac.ir
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
عبداله مرادی
Position
Assistant Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 3334 8420
Email
info@iauahvaz.ac.ir
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
عبداله مرادی
Position
Assistant Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 3334 8420
Email
info@iauahvaz.ac.ir
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
Not applicable
Informed Consent Form
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available