The effect of mindfulness-based counseling on shame in women with human papillomavirus.
Sara Hosseini, Azam Maleki, Omid Saed, Hamideh Gholami
Psychology, Health & Medicine October 12, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2026.2746782 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 140 |
| Population | Women with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) receiving care at Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan, Iran |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based group counseling |
| Duration | Eight weekly 90-minute sessions |
| Measures | Goss et al.'s Questionnaire |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Human papillomavirus Shame Women health |
| Key findings | After adjustment for baseline external shame, women receiving mindfulness-based counseling had significantly lower post-intervention external shame scores than controls (F = 56.03, partial η2 = 0.292). Both groups showed significant within-group reductions. The authors suggest the intervention may have potential as a supportive psychosocial component of HPV care. |
Abstract
This study evaluated the impact of mindfulness-based counseling on shame in women with Human Papillomavirus (HPV), addressing the gap in standardized mental health support and the often-overlooked emotional distress in HPV care. This randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2024 at Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan, Iran. Participants were recruited during routine visits and randomly assigned to intervention or control groups (70 per group) using block randomization. The intervention group received standard care plus eight weekly 90-minute mindfulness-based group counseling sessions (one in-person, seven virtual). The control group received standard medical care and health education. External shame was measured using Goss et al.'s Questionnaire. Data were analysed using independent- and paired-samples t-tests and baseline-adjusted ANCOVA, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. No significant baseline difference was observed between groups. After adjustment for baseline external shame, ANCOVA showed significantly lower post-intervention scores in the intervention group than in the control group (F = 56.03, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.292). Paired-samples t-tests showed significant within-group reductions in both the intervention (p < 0.001) and control (p = 0.011) groups (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that mindfulness-based counseling may have potential as a supportive psychosocial component of HPV care. Further research with longer follow-up periods and culturally sensitive approaches is needed to examine the durability of these findings and their applicability across diverse healthcare settings.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |