Determining the effectiveness of mindfulness on self-esteem, resilience, and mental vitality in students with dyslexia.
Design
This study is a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial conducted on 30 elementary school students with dyslexia (15 in each group). The sample allocation is done by simple random method using the RAND function in Excel software; first, each participant receives an identification code and is divided into two groups of 15 based on a random number.
Settings and conduct
This research will use a field experimental research method and a large-scale pre-test and post-test design. The research will be conducted in an elementary school in Izeh city. All participants, intervention instructors, and evaluators who interpret the data will be kept confidential and all information will be used as pseudonyms.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria
Participants must be between 6 and 10 years of age.
Participants must have scored above the mean on the dyslexia questionnaire.
Both the participants and their parents/guardians must provide informed consent to participate in the study.
Exclusion Criteria
Having physical illnesses that interfere with the intervention process.
Current use of psychiatric medications.
Intervention groups
Intervention group: The mindfulness training program is implemented in a group setting based on the standard mindfulness protocol for children (Sample and Lee, 2008; translated by Mashhadi et al., 2017) in 8 60-minute sessions, one session per week. Control group: They do not receive any intervention (they are placed on a waiting list).
Main outcome variables
Self-esteem; resilience; mental vitality.
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260816070684N1
Registration date:2026-09-18, 1405/06/27
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2026-09-18, 1405/06/27
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-09-18, 1405/06/27
Registrant information
Name
Fatemeh Salahshouri
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 936 997 2805
Email address
fatemesalahshouri19@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-09-20, 1405/06/29
Expected recruitment end date
2026-10-06, 1405/07/14
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The effectiveness of mindfulness on self-esteem, resilience, and mental well-being in students with dyslexia.
Public title
The effectiveness of mindfulness on self-esteem, resilience, and mental vitality
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Participants must be between 6 and 10 years of age.
Participants must have scored above the mean on the dyslexia questionnaire.
Both the participants and their parents/guardians must provide informed consent to participate in the study.
Exclusion criteria:
Having physical illnesses that interfere with the intervention process.
Current use of psychiatric medications.
Age
From 6 years old to 10 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
Care provider
Outcome assessor
Data analyser
Sample size
Target sample size:
30
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
In this study, a complete randomization method with an allocation ratio of 1:1 is used, and the randomization unit is the individual. After preparing the final list of 30 participants, each individual is assigned a unique numerical identification code. Then, an individual independent of the intervention implementers and evaluators generates a random number for each code using Random Number Generator software, and the participants are sorted in ascending order based on these numbers. The first 15 people are assigned to the experimental group and the next 15 people are assigned to the control group sequentially; thus, the probability of each individual being assigned to each group is equal, and the allocation ratio in the two groups is equal.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Double blinded
Blinding description
To control for bias, this study employs a design that blinds the outcome assessor and the data analyst. Following full ethical briefing and the signing of informed consent forms, participants and their parents remain unaware of the specific hypotheses and group assignments; however, complete perceptual blinding is not feasible given the behavioral and educational nature of the mindfulness sessions. Randomization is performed by an independent individual, and sessions are led by a separate instructor; consequently, the principal investigator and school staff remain unaware of student group assignments until the study concludes. Given the non-medical nature of the intervention, medical personnel play no role in the study. Outcome assessments—conducted at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages—are carried out by assessors who are entirely independent of the intervention team and unaware of group allocations. Similarly, the statistician receives raw data identified only by anonymous codes and remains blinded until the analysis process is complete. As the intervention poses no risk, the establishment of a data monitoring committee is not required, and the authors will finalize the manuscript only after the final unblinding.
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
2026-07-28, 1405/05/06
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.BEHBAHAN.REC.1405.214
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Children with learning disabilities
ICD-10 code
F81.9
ICD-10 code description
Developmental disorder of scholastic skills, unspecified
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Self-esteem
Timepoint
Before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention
Method of measurement
Mavroli et al.'s Children's Self-Esteem Questionnaire (2008)
2
Description
Resilience
Timepoint
Before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention
Method of measurement
Angar and Liebenberg Resilience Questionnaire (2009)
3
Description
Mental vitality
Timepoint
Before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention
Method of measurement
Ryan and Frederick Mental Vitality Questionnaire (1997)
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: The mindfulness training program will be based on the standard mindfulness protocol for children designed by Sample and Lee (2008; translated by Mashhadi et al., 2017). The sessions of this intervention will be conducted in 8 60-minute sessions (one session per week) in a group setting for the experimental group. Mindfulness training is an approach that aims to increase attention to the present moment, reduce anxiety and rumination, and develop emotional regulation skills by promoting sensory and physical awareness. It helps students with dyslexia manage their academic and emotional challenges by replacing automatic and stressful reactions with responses based on calm and acceptance, and achieve the promotion of self-esteem, resilience, and mental vitality. This approach has main educational axes that lead to improved self-control and enhanced concentration; These axes include: establishing a therapeutic relationship and introducing the concept of mindfulness and paying attention to the present moment through sensory exercises (such as the raisin exercise), strengthening conscious attention to the environment through stimulating the five senses, teaching conscious breathing as an anchor for achieving calm, increasing body awareness and relaxation through body scan exercises, identifying and accepting difficult emotions (stress, anxiety, sadness, and anger) without judgment, teaching strategies for overcoming academic procrastination and managing behavior, integrating mindfulness with physical activities and stretching movements, and finally consolidating skills, building a personal mindfulness toolbox, and summarizing what has been learned. The main emphasis of this program is to direct children's non-judgmental attention to internal and external experiences and replace anxious and procrastinating patterns with conscious, flexible, and focused behaviors.
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
Abuzar Ghaffari Primary School
Full name of responsible person
Fatemeh Salahshouri
Street address
Shahid Alipour Alley, Across from the Fire Station, End of Emam Street
City
Izeh
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6391865691
Phone
+98 936 997 2805
Email
fatemesalahshouri19@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
Fatemeh Salahshouri
Position
Master's Student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Daneshjo Square, Zagros Blvd.
City
Izeh
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6391693627
Phone
+98 936 997 2805
Fax
Email
fatemesalahshouri19@gmail.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Fatemeh Salahshouri
Position
Master's Student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Daneshjo Square, Zagros Blvd.
City
Izeh
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6391693627
Phone
+98 936 997 2805
Fax
Email
fatemesalahshouri19@gmail.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Fatemeh Salahshouri
Position
Master's Student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Daneshjo Square, Zagros Blvd.
City
Izeh
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6391693627
Phone
+98 936 997 2805
Fax
Email
fatemesalahshouri19@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