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Introduction: Educational neuroscience aims to integrate knowledge of the neural processes involved in development and learning with insights from the field of education, in order to enhance our understanding of how environmental factors influence brain structure and function, and ultimately, the conditions under which learning occurs. In this context, the present study was conducted to develop a training program in educational neuroscience for teachers. Materials and Methods: Using a systematic review approach, the theoretical foundations of the topic were first examined to establish inclusion criteria for selecting relevant studies. A structured search strategy was then developed, through which eligible studies were identified. Subsequently, the selected studies (n=21) were coded, assessed for quality, and synthesized to construct a preliminary framework for the Educational Neuroscience Training Program. To evaluate the face and content validity of the developed program, input was obtained from a panel of experts. Results: The resulting curriculum framework, validated through expert review, is based on Van den Akker’s curriculum model and includes ten core components: rationale, objectives, content, learning activities, teacher role, materials and resources, grouping, location, time, and assessment. Each component encompasses specific sub-elements and features tailored to the contextual conditions of program implementation. Conclusion: Grounded in theoretical and methodological principles, the developed program demonstrates both coherence and credibility. If proven effective in enhancing teachers' educational outcomes through controlled intervention studies, it could be integrated into official in-service training courses and teacher preparation programs.
 

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Introduction: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life. One cognitive mechanism associated with GAD is worry, which serves as an attempt to manage emotional responses. However, individuals with GAD often struggle with emotional regulation, leading to significant emotional dysregulation. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) based on intolerance of uncertainty (IU), combined with an attentional bias modification (ABM) program, in reducing worry and difficulties in emotion regulation among women with GAD. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test/post-test/follow-up design with a control group. The study population consisted of women with GAD in Isfahan, Iran in 2024. Using convenience sampling, 30 participants were selected and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=15) or the control group (n=15). Data were collected using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ). Results: The combination of CBT based on IU and the ABM program led to a significant reduction in worry and emotion regulation difficulties in the experimental group, both immediately after the intervention and at the two-month follow-up. Conclusion: These findings suggest that integrating an attentional bias modification program into CBT based on intolerance of uncertainty can effectively reduce worry and improve emotional regulation in subjects with GAD.

 

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Introduction: In an era where health and well-being are increasingly prioritized, understanding the impact of physical activity on enhancing the quality of life for middle-aged individuals is particularly important. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of body pump exercises on working memory, mental toughness, and psychological well-being of inactive middle-aged men. Materials and Methods: This study was a semi-experimental study that was conducted with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. For this purpose, 30 men in the age range of 45 to 60 years were voluntarily selected as subjects. At the beginning of the study, participants attended a protocol familiarization session. At the end of this session, baseline (pre-test) values were recorded for working memory using the N-back test, mental toughness using the Sheard Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), and psychological well-being using the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of two groups: a body pump exercise group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group followed a body pump exercise program for eight weeks, consisting of three one-hour sessions per week. Forty-eight hours after the final training session, post-test measurements of the dependent variables were conducted under the same conditions and using the same procedures as the pre-tests. Results: The research results showed that 8 weeks of body pump exercises had a significant effect on improving working memory scores, mental toughness, and psychological well-being compared to the control group. Conclusion: Body pump exercises proved to be an effective method for enhancing cognitive and psychological functions in middle-aged individuals. Therefore, incorporating body pump training into daily physical activity routines is recommended for this age group.
 

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Introduction: Among functional digestive disorders, irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common and debilitating functional disorders. This research was conducted to compare the effectiveness of emotion-oriented therapy and acceptance and commitment-based therapy on self-criticism, pain catastrophizing, and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Materials and Methods: The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of patients with irritable bowel syndrome who were referred to specialized gastroenterology clinics in Gorgan, Iran, in 2023. A total of 45 patients were randomly selected and assigned to three groups: experimental group 1 (emotion-focused therapy), experimental group 2 (acceptance and commitment therapy), and a control group. The first experimental group received 10 sessions of 60-minute emotion-oriented therapy, and the second experimental group received 8 sessions of 60-minute therapy based on acceptance and commitment, but the control group did not receive any intervention until the end of the study. The research instruments included the Self-Criticism Questionnaire developed by Gilbert and colleagues (2004), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale by Sullivan and colleagues (1995), and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index by Francis and colleagues (1997). Results: The results indicated that both emotion-focused therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy were effective in reducing self-criticism, pain catastrophizing, and the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Furthermore, acceptance and commitment therapy demonstrated greater effectiveness than emotion-focused therapy in improving these outcomes. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that acceptance and commitment therapy, by enhancing psychological flexibility, promoting emotional regulation strategies, clarifying personal values, and fostering a sense of shared humanity, leads to reductions in self-criticism, pain catastrophizing, and the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
 

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Introduction: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is one of the most common externalizing disorders in children and adolescents and is one of the most frequently diagnosed psychiatric conditions in psychological and psychiatric treatment settings. It is characterized by a recurrent and persistent pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant behavior, and vindictiveness. Social cognition refers to the ability to understand and process social information, as well as to predict and comprehend the behaviors of others. In recent years, social cognition has attracted attention in the field of child development and disorders. This article aims to review the research conducted on the social cognitive functions in children with ODD. Conclusion: Research indicates that children with ODD often exhibit deficits in theory of mind, emotion recognition, interpretation, and other domains of social cognition. These impairments can significantly contribute to behavioral difficulties and problematic social interactions. A better understanding of these aspects can aid in the development of effective interventions to empower children, prevent disorders, and reduce symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder in these children.
 

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Perhaps before establishing the Psychology and Counseling Organization of Iran by the Parliament in 2003, the biggest threat to this discipline was the practice of unprofessional people. On this basis, the biggest opportunity for this discipline was establishing this organization by the parliament as the supreme legislative body in the country. On 14/11/2012 counseling centers regulation was introduced by the tenth government in executing the Act 43 of the Law, which was a big shock to the Organization, and the authority of issuing counseling certificates was assigned to State Welfare Organization and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Fortunately, with a lot of consultations and followings, this regulation was abolished and the duty of issuing counseling certificates and supervising counseling centers was exclusively assigned to the Psychology and Counseling Organization. This, in turn, can lead to a tremendous development and progress in the discipline. The other opportunity to the Organization is the declaration of health system policy by the Supreme Leader which has taken the society’s mental health indexes into account and demands the citizens’ mental, social, and spiritual health. The other opportunity to the Organization is the Supreme Leader’s attitude toward the Organization and psychology in general, and his expectations from the Organization aired in the central council meeting on 9/5/2011. In the current situation, all branches of psychology and counseling have committees and the improvement and growth of all branches have been planned. We are signing memorandum of understanding with all related bodies in the fields of psychology and counseling. Retraining all psychologists and counselors and updating their knowledge and skills is intended. Psychotherapy and counseling with a religious orientation is one of the priorities of the Organization. The biggest threat to psychology and counseling of the country is a decline in the quality of education in some universities, and the Organization intends to invalidate these low quality universities by a quality control evaluation and consolidate the discipline and psychologists’ position in the new health system program.

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Several investigations demonstrated that anxiety is the most common mental health disorder worldwide affected about one in 13 people. Anxiety disorders are more commonly reported in Western societies but it is also a main health problem in non-Western countries as stress and anxiety levels have drastically increased over the last two decades. Several wars in Middle Eastern countries in the last few years seem to increase the rate of anxiety dramatically in this area. Women, children, and adolescents are the most vulnerable groups. The aim of our congress is to reduce the enormous individual and social burdens imposed by anxiety disorders. Prevention of stress and anxiety as well as effective treatment of different forms of anxiety based on the latest scientific achievements improves the public health. Drawing a clear plan to prevent and combat anxiety will be necessary before we face anxiety epidemics in different societies.

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The goal of this talk will be to familiarize the audience with the nature and prevalence of anxiety disorders and document their impact on society. Anxiety is the most common form of psychopathology affecting an estimated one in four people at some point during their lifetimes. In comparison to all types of diseases and injuries, a 2013 JAMA report indicated that anxiety disorders were the fifth leading cause of years lived with a disability. Moreover, the impact of anxiety psychopathology on society has remained steady since 1990. These various anxiety manifestations, along with associated conditions such as depression and substance use issues will be described. Finally, an overview of state-of-the-art and first line, empirically supported prevention and treatment efforts focused on ameliorating anxiety will be provided.

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Social stigma is a major challenge among the patients with mental illness, their families and the health care providers. Not only the patient with psychological disorders, but also who has an infectious disease suffer social stigma. Stigma refers to an extreme and unusual disapproval of a person from the other members of society. Stigma is a Greek word that in its origins referred to a type of marking or tattoo that was cut or burned into the skin of criminals, slaves, or traitors in order to visibly identify them as blemished or morally polluted persons. Due to the stigma and its negative effect on the patient and his family, the treatment of the patients is also challenging. Although stigma arises from the other’s belief, but the worst part is the patient’s bad feeling about himself. Most of the patients and their families avoid visiting a psychiatrist cause them to lose the golden time of the treatment, make their illness chronic which end to disability. Lack of knowledge about the mental illnesses has been always the most important origin of stigma. Up to the 19th century, psychosis has been the only well-known type mental illness and there was no concept about the other psychological disorders such as spasm, depression and obsessive compulsive disorders which are usually concomitant with physical manifestations. Today, although the psychosis is a small portion of the mental illnesses, but it forms the major viewpoint of the people about psychological disorders. Despite of modern treatment methods applied to even cure the mental illnesses, the people hate to be called “mentally ill”. Today we recognized that mental disorders are a brain disorder, and we refuted the ideas that psychosis is a curse from the gods and that people with epilepsy held prophetic powers. Although mental disorders are very similar to the physical disorders in term of pathophysiology, etiology, treatment and prevention, but it is yet hard to accept them. Health system have a long way to overcome the big challenge of recognition, prevention and treatment of mental disorders and to instruct the people about the nature of these disorders which lead to a significant improvement in the health care system.

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Recent research from a number of clinical trials has shown that Transdiagnostic Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is efficacious, having shown comparable effects on primary anxiety disorder diagnoses as traditional diagnosis-specific CBT, and highly economical for treatment providers. However, a majority of anxiety disorder patients present with two or more “comorbid” diagnoses at once. Given that Transdiagnostic CBT focuses on the patient’s entire anxiety presentation, as opposed to just one primary diagnosis, several psychological scientists have suggested that Transdiagnostic CBT may be more efficient than traditional CBT in treating comorbid presentations (those with more than one anxiety disorder or depressive diagnosis). The current presentation will present data from a number of studies testing this hypothesis. An initial pilot study (Study 1) evaluated the effect of Transdiagnostic CBT on comorbid diagnoses of depression, suggesting that patients who present with both anxiety and depression show substantial improvements on both diagnoses. Study 2 compared the effect of Transdiagnostic CBT on treating comorbid diagnoses of anxiety (two or more anxiety disorders simultaneously), finding that Transdiagnostic CBT had greater effects on comorbid anxiety than did diagnosis-specific CBT. Finally, data from a large ongoing study (Study 3) examining the impact of Transdiagnostic CBT on comorbid anxiety-depression will be presented. Future directions for the treatment of complex comorbid anxiety and anxiety-depression patients will be discussed.

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There has been a recent rise in research focused on maternal psychological conditions during the perinatal period. Although the majority of investigations have examined postpartum depression, there is a growing appreciation for the deleterious consequences of maternal anxiety in the perinatal period for both the mother and child. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), in particular, has emerged as a desirable target for intervention. This presentation will discuss the development of an indicated prevention program for postpartum obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCS), along with findings from the initial randomized controlled trial. Participants included women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester of their first pregnancy, who were pre-screened to determine psychological vulnerability to OCD. The treatment group (n=38) received a CBT prevention program for OCS that was incorporated into six weekly prenatal education (PE) classes. The control group (n=33) received the same PE classes along with general psychoeducation on anxiety disorders. Results revealed that at 1, 3, and 6 months postpartum, the prevention program was associated with significantly lower levels of obsessions and compulsions than was the control condition. Group differences remained significant even after controlling for baseline OCS and depression symptoms. Those in the prevention condition also reported decreasing levels of cognitive distortions, in contrast to the control condition. Significant predictors of 1-month postpartum OCS were baseline levels of OCS, thought-action fusion, and distress tolerance. Significant moderators included baseline OCS, obsessive beliefs, distress tolerance, and relationship adjustment. The interaction between these variables and condition was such that the prevention program was particularly effective for individuals who had poorer functioning at baseline. Results will be discussed with respect to implications for future intervention research on postpartum OCD.

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Human was created from both the natural and spiritual dimensions and has multimodal functions (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, affective, sensation, interpersonal relationship, and etc.). Having One-dimensional impression in life would provide anxiety predisposition for man, but then having an integrated and monotheistic view would result in an assimilated psychological discipline for him/her. The objective of this article was to investigating how activating spiritual dimension by applying monotheism as the most important human healing mechanism could control anxiety. If anxiety is defined as “the apprehensive anticipation of future danger or misfortune accompanied by a feeling of worry, distress, and/or somatic symptoms of tension”, which its core characteristics are feeling threatened, fearfulness, uncertainty, disturbance, distress, and worry. Each theoretical framework of psychotherapy would attempt to provide an evident response to alleviate this anxious heart. Though prominent success in psychotherapy, research findings report symptoms relapse. The spirituality modal as an original humanistic dimension due to eliciting special aspects in clients could alleviate anxiety symptoms. This dimension would, then, sustain the treatment goal by vigilante-man nature as a result of activating two mechanisms (i.e. integration and transcending). These contextual components based on religious texts analysis include sense of unity with God, confidence and relaxation with remembering God, modifying the image of God and reinforcement of God-concept, increasing consciousness to nurturing of God, and understanding of God as unique love object because of having full criteria for being as an entire and irreversible waning love object, having relationship to presence and the world due to regulating the interest, identity acquisition according to connecting between self- conscious, and God- conscious (that would result into being conscious about humanistic features such as kindness, generosity, and etc.), perceiving being- in- world as a transitional stage for encountering with love object and joining him in otherworld (so, how to being survival in hereafter would determine how and why we live here in this world). These concepts by applying spiritual techniques (e.g., worthiness, being goal and proposing oriented, and giving meaning) could improve ascendancy due to applying transcending mechanism (from materialism, egoism, and status), and could eliminate the insecurity, and anxiety, and then the alternative would be alacrity and joyfulness feelings and happiness. Moreover, clinical observations clarified that creating satisfaction in man would provide sincerity, monotheism and integration, and would fading the relapse predisposition. Experiencing integration and transcending is not fundamentally equivalent to equanimity which is critical component of equilibrium. But satisfaction could help to maintain treatment outcomes and could improve transcending from health into fully function person and to be commitment and acceptance. A variety of clinical experiences in the context of activating psycho-spiritual dimension revealed this practice could significantly reduce anxiety and worry.

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Our research group has - during the past 15 years - developed and tested internet interventions for more than 20 separate conditions totaling in close to 50 published randomized controlled trials. The studies cover a wide range of diagnoses including depression, social anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and pathological gambling. The treatments have mostly been based on cognitive behavior therapy. However, acceptance and commitment therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy and motivational interviewing have also been tested. In addition to the more traditional online therapies psychodynamic internet-based psychotherapy has also been evaluated. In general the effect sizes are large when active treatment is compared to a control group. In fact, in our recent systematic review and meta-analysis that has been accepted for publication, Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy was directly compared against face-to-face CBT within the same trial. The results showed a pooled effect size at post-treatment across of Hedges g = -0.01 (95% CI, -0.13 to 0.12), indicating that Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy and face-to-face treatment produce equivalent overall effects. In addition to giving an overview of internet-based treatments a new randomized controlled trial will be presented. The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of guided internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sixty-two participants with chronic PTSD, as assessed by the Clinician-administered PTSD Scale, were recruited via nationwide advertising and randomized to either treatment (n = 31) or delayed treatment attention control (n = 31). The ICBT treatment consisted of 8 weekly text-based modules containing psychoeducation, breathing retraining, imaginal and in vivo exposure, cognitive restructuring, and relapse prevention. Therapist support and feedback on homework assignment were given weekly via an online contact handling system. Assessments were made at baseline, post-treatment, and at 1-year follow-up. Main outcome measures were the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS). Results showed significant reductions of PTSD symptoms (between group effect on the IES-R Cohen’s d = 1.25, and d = 1.24 for the PDS) compared to the control group. There were also effects on depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and quality of life. The results at one-year follow-up showed that treatment gains were maintained. In sum, these results suggest that ICBT with therapist support can reduce PTSD symptoms significantly.

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State-of-the-art psychotherapy for anxiety disorders represents some of the most efficacious treatments in the mental health literature. Nevertheless, these treatments are not panacea. Too many patients drop out of treatment, response rates leave room for improvement, and residual symptomatology is common. The quest to improve therapy for patients suffering from mental disorders necessitates ongoing refinement of theories, research questions, and methodologies. This presentation will illustrate this iterative process with data from two randomized controlled trials (i.e., Cognitive Behavioral Treatment and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) on Panic Disorder. Utilizing data from clinical outcomes and experimental paradigms imbedded within these trials, I will present results on efficacy, drop-out, mechanism of action, and long-term outcomes that provide important clues for understanding who gets better, who doesn’t, and-importantly -why. The question will be examined whether “getting off the couch and out of the therapy room” is step ideally suited to help achieve further refinements in our treatment. Together with theorization about how patients relate to symptoms and well-being, I will review how these data can contribute to the refinement of psychotherapeutic change in general.

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Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric disorders which can have negative effects on the human life. Children and adults can have anxiety disorders and these disorders can lead to secondary problems such as cognitive, perceptual, emotional and behavioral problems. For treatment of anxiety, the practitioners and psychologists can apply psychotherapy approaches such as: cognitive therapy, Gestalt therapy and logo therapy. Art therapy is one of the psychotherapy approaches in which the relation between “Id”, “Ego” and “Super Ego” will be facilitated. Art as a projective activity that consists of beautiful elements can cause the release of fears, feelings, emotions, and it can show all of the subjects which are in the unconscious level of clients. Therefore, in art therapy methods, art therapists can apply free association, transference and interpretation. Studies in art therapy suggests that art elements can be applied for both of evaluation and treatment of patients with anxiety disorders because it can help them to have better perception of themselves and also they can change their mental image and help to integrate their ego. Studies of practitioners such as Hill (1942), Numberg (1960), Uhlin (1972), Andreas (2005), Case and Dalley (2009) show that art therapy can reduce anxiety, depression and negative effects in patients. To achieve the best results it is better to apply art therapy methods in the peer groups. In art therapy sessions we can apply music, painting, poem, drama and clay. Materials and instruments such as clay, painting colors, crayons, pastels, music instruments (piano, keyboard, violin and etc.) can be applied.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop after a terrifying event involving physical injury or the threat of physical harm in war. Eight years of war after Iraq attacked Iran (between 1980-1988) caused thousands of PTSD among Iranian soldiers as well as civilians. Many of those people are suffering several decades from this form of anxiety most now a complicated form of complex PTSD. Years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought PTSD among soldiers to the attention of the Western scientific societies. PTSD is currently the subject of many research studies. In this session, several of these complicated patients will be introduced in this session and discussion will be aimed to find the best way of the management for them.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can arise from different traumatic incidents, such as war, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, mugging, child abuse, road accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes as well as natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. During each disaster, both victims and rescue workers are vulnerable to physical and psychological trauma that may lead to different forms of anxiety disorders, including PTSD. In this session, different manners and methods for prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders after various disasters will be discussed.

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Using theater in the treatment as well as education traced back to several thousand years ago. In fact, drama therapy has been used for a long time in clinics and rehabilitation/treatment centers. Children theater experts intend to adopt this approach outside of the confined framework of clinics and make it as a general method in the society. In other words, let it face the theater’s large audience, cause change and undergo change in itself. As far as working with all children is concerned, it is perhaps better to use the general term “theater-life”, meaning the use of theater in real world scenarios for achieving a profound outlook to a vibrant life. Why theater? The deep influence of groups over individuals is known to all, which explains the effectiveness of group therapy. When speaking of the role of theater in improvement or treatment of children’s behavioral abnormalities, it is important to emphasize the active and constructive role of interactions. Our attitudes consist of three distinctive dimensions: emotional, cognitive and physical. Our attitudes and perceptions are shaped and recognized in practice. No attitude is established before being demonstrated in our behavior. In fact, it is our behavior that reveals our attitudes and perception of realities. Similarly in theater, body is united the soul and “individual” is in fact demonstrated in its wholeness. Therefore, all aspects of human existence are addressed in theater and this is the key benefit of “theater-life”. Drama therapy in Iran is uncommon practice for certain reasons. Some sub-categorize it under dramatic arts, and to some others it is considered a method used by psychologists in treating certain mental disorders (because of the suffix “-therapy”) and therefore not usable for the general public. Hardly, though, most psychologists show any inclination in making use of drama therapy as an effective treatment method, which is due to their lack of awareness of the potential benefits of dramatic arts. In this workshop, experts will try to share their knowledge and experience about therapeutic theater with emphasis on the issue of stress and mental pressures in children.

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The current study was aimed to examine the relationship between alexithymia and anxiety among male schizophrenic inpatients. The study was of descriptive and predictive nature. The sample consisted of 50 male patients in Niayesh psychiatric hospital of Tehran, all of whom diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia (at least 2 years). The Toronto alexithymia scale and self-scaled anxiety scale were administered. The data was analyzed using correlation and regression methods.The results showed significant correlations between anxiety, alexithymia and the subscales of alexithymia. It was also observed that alexithymia could predict about 69 percent of variances in anxiety scores (P=0.001). The analyses revealed that among the tree subscales of alexithymia, only difficulty in identifying feelings had significant role in predicting variances of anxiety (P=0.001). The role of the other two subscales was insignificant. The regression analyses in this study showed that alexithymia could predict about 69 percent of variances in anxiety scores. The results also showed that among the three subscales of alexithymia, difficulty identifying feelings correlated positively with anxiety, and this could be due to problems in cognitive processing of these patients. Alexithymia may cause difficulty in identifying and expressing feelings and hence increase anxiety.

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The Supplement of the Neuroscience Journal of Shefaye Khatam.